The word "programme" might provoke... anxiety, but not to parents who need to be able rely on a programme, especially when school starts. September is the month when our children are back to their everyday routine. So we have shared some basic tips and habits to remember when gradually getting back into the daily routine.

Children’s hygiene
There are hygiene rules that children have to reincorporate consistently into their everyday lives.

• Hand washing is one of the most important ways of protecting against viruses. According to pediatricians, children must wash their hands when they come home from any outing or from school, before eating and after using the toilet.
• Children should brush their teeth systematically and regularly twice daily to ensure proper care

Together around the family table
During summer, the family table is usually replaced by the taverna or the beach. But now it’s time to gather everyone, young and old, around the family table again.

• Your child should be involved in getting ready for the family meal and be given responsibilities such as setting the table or helping with serving the food and clearing the table. In this way he will play an active role and will feel as if he is fulfilling his responsibilities.
• Your child should know that he cannot play, bring other items to the table or watch television at mealtimes. He must concentrate on eating and should not be distracted.
• There should be a pleasant atmosphere and plenty of communication around the family table. You can exchange views and news about school, and organise your weekend activities together!
• Through this teamwork children develop a sense of security and feel that they belong to a group where they can express their feelings freely and be accepted.

Choosing the right school bag together
Take your child with you to the shops when you are buying his school bag. This will give him a chance to join in the process of choosing this item which will become so important in his everyday life. When you are choosing the school bag, do not forget the following:

• Safety comes first
• It is important that school equipment meets safety standards.
• That's why it's very important to check where a bag is made and its specifications before buying it. It is also a good idea to avoid plastic materials, and to choose fabric or leather instead.
• Choose the kind of bag that will suit your child.
• Rucksacks or bags with wheels are good for young children.
• Backpacks should be worn high up, should have padded backs and soft, wide straps so they do not place undue strain on the child's frame. It is also good for the weight of the bag to be distributed as evenly as possible, so choose a bag with lots of different sections and pockets.

There is a golden rule for school bags that they should not weigh more than 10% of the child’s body weight. As it is not usually possible to keep to this rule, school bags with wheels can be a good solution.