Whether your child is heading to school for the first time or your child is going back after months of rest, ParentsCanada's guide will ease you into the school routine. 

Health and safety

Kids can be a breeding ground for germs and when they're at school, they're likely to come into contact with even more bugs. Read about how to keep your kids healthy and safe during the school year.

How to shop for the right backpack Contagious diseases in your child's backpack 7 tips to teach your kids about walking home from school Confessions of a mom with lice Products to battle lice in your home Getting rid of lice Video: How to detect and get rid of lice

Get organized

Avoid the stress of back-to-school shopping by knowing what your children will need. Take a step back and see if there are ways you can reorganize to make your mornings a little less hectic.

Organize your home based on your family's natural learning styles How to get out the door without any hassle Momsense: How to de-clutter your life How to keep your children organized Keep your kids organized by colour-coding How parents can prepare for their child's first day at school Cool back-to-school products for your child The back-to-school supplies your kids will need Teach your kids to save with back-to-school shopping

Crafts

Help your kids be organized with these unique crafts that they'll always want to use.

Study carrel Supply holder Scoreboard Bulletin board

Food and nutrition

Are you all out of creative school lunch ideas to feed your kids? Take a peek at our lunchbox recipes thanks to our food editor, Julie Van Rosendaal. All the while, keep up-to-date with the latest nutrition issues your kids face at school.

Mini layered taco dip Sandwich sushi Sesame noodles in lettuce leaf wraps Chicken caesar salad wraps Video: Creative lunchbox ideas How to build a greener lunch Nutrition: Smart breakfast choices Fixing school lunchrooms Lunchrooms across the country Black-market junk food hits schools

School life

School is the start of your kids growing up and becoming their own individual. Prepare your children for kindergarten and help them handle other challenges that will arise. 

Playing and learning in kindergarten Preparing your child for full-day kindergarten 5 Must-have skills for kindergarten success Separation anxiety: How to handle a clingy child Curb school anxieties by talking to your child's teacher Is modern education setting boys up to fail? How to help boys enjoy reading Universities help student parents juggle their duties What Canada's schools are doing about bullying Canadian bullying programs that work How I survived childhood bullying A new theory on how bullies are made Are you raising a bully? Books on bullying

Learning

Every child learns at their own pace, but it's tough for any parent to watch their child struggle. Be patient, but don't be afraid to try and help your kids learn along the way.

Help your children be ready to learn Teaching your kids to read Children's author Melanie Watt shares the lessons kids can learn from books Helping your children with homework Keeping students focused on homework Cheating: Why kids do it Failure: The new taboo How to handle your child falling behind in school Pathways to Education helps struggling students Tips and tricks to work with a "shut-down learner" Unschooling: A step further in self-directed learning