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Back-To-School: Getting Kids Back Into Homework Mode

NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- A lot of kids start school next week, and education experts say switching from the lazy days of summer back to homework mode can be tough.

CBS 2's Cindy Hsu found out what parents can do right now to make that transition a lot easier for everyone.

"Sometimes, I think I'm really excited about going back to school, and then sometimes I'm like, 'Oh no, school again,'" nine-year-old Natalie Kahn said.

The thought of going back to school is especially hard for the kids who've been sleeping in.

Daniella Nevid's mom, July Wolf-Nevid, is a school administrator. Judy's just started getting her daughter ready for that 6:30 a.m. wakeup call.

"Today was the first day that we insisted Daniella set her alarm clock for 8:30, and then we're going to work backwards, probably by half-hours, since we have until Tuesday," she said.

Alexandra Mayzler is a study skills expert. She wrote "Tutor in a Book," and runs the education company Thinking Caps. She says it's important to create a study space now that works for your child.

Mayzler says every student is different – some work best on the floor, others at a desk – so consistency is key.

Mayzler also recommends that parents sit down with their children and, together, write down a list of school year goals. Identify a weak spot that needs to be improved, and a strength to keep building on, and sign it like a contract – and then follow up on it.

"Writing it down and maybe putting it up on the refrigerator, and then coming back and checking it in October, and seeing how those expectations are going – and if they're not being met, having that sit down again," Mayzler said.

As far as the computer, now is the time to rein it in, especially during homework time.

"I even recommend parents really use the parental settings, and really unhook the wireless," Mayzler said.

If your child is heading to school for the first time and they're anxious about it, now's also the time to walk them by the school, and hopefully get them inside as well, to relieve some of that pressure.

Experts say if your kids have had a really care-free summer, where academics have been completely pushed to the side, it's also a good idea to work reading, math and writing back into their world before school starts.

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