Complete Back to School Guide for Parents for 2024

Preparing your child (and yourself!) for the back to school season comes with a long to-do list.

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Back to school Resources for Parents

Everything You Need for Back to School

Preparing your child (and yourself!) for the back to school season comes with a long to-do list.

If your child is attending a new school or just a new grade, there are likely big changes and different routines on the horizon.

And you want to make sure that you don’t miss a single thing.

You’ve come to the right place! We’ve got all the back to school tips you need to make 2024 a great year for your child.

This back to school guide for parents will cover how to make a checklist, various hacks to make your life easier, how to use gamified learning and how to help your child succeed in 2024.

Back to School Checklist 2024

Organization can go a long way in reducing headaches and stress. Being well-prepared can make sure that nothing gets forgotten.

A great place to start when getting ready for a new school year is making a list of the materials and school supplies that your students will need.

You should also make sure to schedule any appointments that your child needs well before school is set to begin. This might include an annual trip to the doctor or a meeting with their new teacher.

You may also need to make a special trip to the school to pick special supplies like a laptop or iPad.

Then, you can think about how to prepare your home. Do you need to set up a ‘drop zone’ with all their supplies? Are you going to create a homework area?

Finally, think about new routines that you will have this school year. This is a great time to call a family meeting to get everyone on the same page.

Check out our full back-to-school checklist now!

Back to School Hacks 2024

You need some back to school hacks to help the year go smoothly. Especially if you’re juggling more than one student and schedule!

There are hacks to help you manage everything from homework to study spaces to lunches and snacks.

Here are just a few of our best ideas to make this year a great one:

Meal plan for lunches. If you meal plan for supper, simply add more ideas for lunch. This way the week is planned out and no last minute trips to the grocery store are needed.
Freeze drinks so they double as an ice pack. Is your child’s lunch box packed full each day? Try freezing their drink to free up some space.
Put clipboards in the car to get a headstart on homework. If you have a long drive home, make that time productive by getting a headstart on homework. Add clipboards to your car to use as desks and keep a pencil bag of supplies.
Plan outfits in advance. Plan and lay out what your child will wear to school each day. Or better yet, plan out the whole week on Sunday.

Need more ideas? See all of our 2024 Back-to-school Hacks.

Preparing Your Child for Success in 2024

You want your child to do their best this year. But how can you help them do that?

One key is developing and maintaining a routine.

This starts from the moment they open their eyes. Set a specific time to wake up and get the day started so they don't feel rushed.

Create routines around breakfast and lunch packing. Next, move on to drop off and pick up. Then, tackle homework and the evening schedule.

Slowly, you'll add structure to your child's day. And your child will have reduced stress and be able to have a well-balanced life that they thrive in.

Consider making a back to school checklist with your child. Ask what supplies would help them feel more comfortable in the classroom.

Talk about routines that would help them know what to expect. Discuss other things they think will help them succeed.

Add everything to a list and then start checking tasks off!

Gamifying Education Helps Kids Learn More Easily

As a parent, you’re always on the hunt to find ways to make learning more fun and effective. Gamifying education is one of the best ways to help kids learn more easily.

Gamifying education is adding various aspects of game-design into the learning process.

These could include:

Earning badges (digital or material)
Getting on leaderboards with peers
Using points systems for the completion of tasks
Collecting other rewards for achievements

Gamification is different from game-based learning. Game-based learning is where an actual game is used for teaching concepts. Gamification focuses on making a game of the outcomes of learning.

An example of using gamifying education in your home would be giving your child a prize for completing their homework for two weeks in a row.

Some other gamifying options to use at home are:

Create a bulletin board with ‘stages’ that your child accomplishes. These stages could be tests passed at school or concepts that they master. Mark the completion of each stage with a trophy or reward.
Cut out a large thermometer that your child will fill up one degree at time for each math problem they successfully solve.

The fun students experience with gamifying education actually help them learn and retain information better.

A 2018 systematic review found that students were both more involved in the learning process and showed a better understanding of the learning concepts.

Gamifying also has benefits such as:

Aiding in cognitive development
Providing tangible progress
Enhancing problem-solving skills
Reducing stress and anxiety around learning
Encouraging social interaction and community
Building a resilient attitude towards learning
Increasing homework completion rate

Want to read more about gamifying education? Check out these articles.

Learning at Home

There is a big difference between learning at home and just completing homework at home.

Homework reinforces concepts that are covered during school. But learning at home teaches new skills and furthers your child’s learning.

Continuing to learn at home grows your child’s intellectual, emotional, and social skills beyond what they can learn in the classroom.

It can also strengthen your bond with your child. As you engage in learning activities together, you create a supportive environment where your child feels encouraged to explore and ask questions.

A more personalized learning experience is another perk of learning at home. You can give your child extra practice with areas they struggle with or provide additional challenges in areas they enjoy.

If you’re wondering how parents can support their child's learning at home, here are some suggestions.

To provide personalized learning, consider an online game like Prodigy. Prodigy’s algorithm is always working in the background to challenge your child in math and English. It gives them problems that fit their skills exactly.

You can also incorporate learning into daily activities. Talk about fractions when measuring out ingredients for cooking and baking. Or include your child in budgeting activities to grow their math and financial skills.

Encourage more reading time throughout your day. Read both with your child and encourage them to read independently. Allow them time to read about topics they love.

Learning English at Home

Without the structure and routine of a classroom, your child may find it difficult to learn English at home. There also may be distractions or home responsibilities that are challenging for learning at home.

And sometimes just figuring out how to learn English at home can be the hardest part. Finding engaging and interactive ways to practice English, like using Prodigy English, is key to your child wanting to learn English at home.

Learning at home can be fun and exciting. If you take steps to make it fun, it will be a lot easier for both you and your child.

Prodigy English takes your child on an adventure where they can gather materials, craft decorations and buy and sell outfits all while learning important English skills. Your child will be so excited to log on each day and continue. And you can be excited knowing that they're learning while they play.

Create a free account now.

Learning Math at Home

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If you felt a little hesitation at teaching English concepts at home, you mean feel even more fear at being expected to recall all the math concepts and vocabulary needed to challenge your child.

But don’t worry!

There’s plenty of math help online and other resources to make learning math at home a breeze. You don’t need to be an expert.

Here a few tips to keep in mind to make learning math at home a success:

Maintain a positive attitude.
Show math in everyday life.
Get your child to teach you math.
Consider getting a math tutor.
Use online math resources.

Prodigy Math is a great option for a math program that doesn’t require you to be an at home math teacher.

While playing Prodigy Math, students will journey into a magical world where math powers their magic. Prodigy was designed by teachers using common educational standards, so you can know that your child is learning exactly what they need to.

Get started with a free account today.

How to Support Your Child Academically at Home During the 2024-2025 School Year

One way to spur your child to academic success in the 2024-2025 school year is by providing support with their homework.

Consider designating a certain spot in the house for homework to be done. Have good lighting and all the supplies your child needs within easy reach.

You can also set a specific time for homework to be done. There's no one right answer here. Maybe it's right when you get home or after dinner. Just find what works best for your family.

Be available to help with difficult homework tasks. However you should also encourage your child to find solutions on their own.

To further support learning at home, you can add an educational game like Prodigy Math or Prodigy English to homework time.

Adding fun into homework can make it into something your child looks forward to instead of a chore to check off their list.

Playing Prodigy at Home

Playing Prodigy Math or Prodigy English at home is one of the easiest ways to ensure your child is well-prepared for the academic challenges that lie ahead.

Regular use of Prodigy Math and English can significantly enhance your child's readiness for the upcoming school year and placement tests.

Learn more about Prodigy

The platform covers a wide range of math and English topics aligned with state and national standards. This means your child will be practicing the same concepts they'll encounter in their classroom.

Prodigy Math and Prodigy English uses adaptive algorithms to tailor questions to your child's current skill level. This ensures that your student is always challenged without being overwhelmed. They can progress at their own pace.

By turning math practice into an adventure, Prodigy keeps students motivated and excited about learning. The game’s interactive elements and reward systems help maintain their interest and encourage consistent practice.

Plus, the immediate feedback provided by the game allows students to learn from their mistakes and correct them quickly.

The combination of personalized learning paths and interactive gameplay not only fosters a love for learning but also builds the skills for success at school.

Create your parent account on Prodigy today and start paving the way for a successful school year!

What's New with Prodigy

There are so many exciting updates happening in the Prodigy world this back-to-school season.

While your student has been enjoying their summer off, we’ve been hard at work adding new questions and activities to Prodigy English. There’s more skills than ever to put your student ahead this school year.

Your student is going to notice that their map looks quite different this year. New stores and neighbors have entered the village and a mysterious fog has taken over. They will need to follow an exciting new storyline to clear the fog and explore the village.

Learn more about all the updates to Prodigy Math and Prodigy English here.

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