The summer break will be over soon and for many kids the summer has meant losing touch with their school friends.  It can be hard for children, especially younger ones, to stay connected with the school friends over the summer unless they live close by.  The first day of school is often nerve-wracking for a lot kids especially if they haven’t seen their friends all summer.  Helping your child reconnect with their school friends before school starts may aid in the transition back to school.

Here are a few tips on ways you can get the kids together with their school friends before summer is over:

• Host a picnic at the park with a few of your child’s “best” friends from school.
• If you are friends with some of the parents talk to them about doing your back to school shopping together so the kids have a chance to hang out and you’ll have a shopping buddy.
• Find out if the school or local library is hosting any activities in the last weeks of summer break and enroll your child, odds are a few other kids from his/her class will be there as well.
• Host a pool party for your child’s “best” school friends either at your house if you have a pool or at your local public pool.
• Have your child invite a few friends over for a playdate.

The key is to get them talking and reconnecting.  Knowing your friends from last year are still your friends this year will make the first day of school a little easier.

Do you do anything special to help your child reconnect with their school friends before the new school year starts?  What do you find works best?