School’s In Session! Three Back-To-School traditions for transitioning hesitant kids still wanting summer to linger a little longer AND for parents who are ready for routine again!
That time of year when everything feels like learning…………What was your favorite back to school tradition?
Mine was shopping for new school supplies. The smell of opening a new box of crayons, with freshly sharpened points, and a variety of colors to choose from always made me smile.
And then there were traditions involving wearing a new outfit the first day or getting ice-cream after the day was done. Year after year my mom provided familiarity, as well as anticipation, to the start of the new school year.
And I wanted to provide the same feel-good traditions for my kids, so I did.
Here Are Three Back-To-School Traditions To Try:
1. Fresh Baked Doughnuts are easy, simple and quick to make (If you’re short on time store bought ones provide the same effect). Enjoying a fun breakfast together before the learning begins is a great start to the day! The smell will entice they’re tastebuds, and you can decorate them with whip cream, powdered sugar, or frosting.
Try This Adapted Recipe: Baked Chocolate Cinnamon Doughnuts
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 1/2 Cup Sugar (White, Coconut, Cane) Work Great
- 1 Large Egg
- 1/2 Cup Buttermilk
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
Preparation:
- Preheat Oven 375° F
- Whisk First 5 Ingredients In A Bowl & Set Aside.
- In A Standing (or Hand) Mixer Cream Butter & Sugar.
- Add Egg, Buttermilk, Vanilla and Combine.
- Add Flour Mixture.
- Spoon Into Greased & Floured Doughnut Pan, or Place Dough In Ziploc Bag, Cut Off Corner, Pipe Dough Into Circles Onto Parchment-Lined Baking Sheet.
- Back 10 Minutes.
- Topping: Whip Cream, Powdered Sugar, Ready-Made Frosting or Nut Butters Work.
2. All About Me Posters are great for creativity. Asking questions such as Who Are Their Friends, Favorite-Color, Food, Book, Animal, Subject, Who Are Their Family Members, What They Want To Be, all provide insight into that specific grade.
I keep each year’s poster and we look back from time to time to see how handwriting has improved, choices change, as well as the design.
Purchase pre-made posters or design your own, either way it is a tradition my kids look forward to creating each year!
3. Take A Photo and preserve those beautiful faces. Each year I have my kids write the number grade they are beginning, and small designs of their choosing, on a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 construction paper. We then take a photo holding the paper in front of each child.
They are fresh and ready to begin the school year learning!
Traditions need not be complicated. They can be as simple as getting ice-cream after the first day of learning or going to a park to play. Kids expect what we expose them to, and traditions are part of their childhood. After all its a memory made!
What traditions do you provide your children with on the first day of school?
~~Simply Passionate~~
Simply Passionate 