The expert's guide to back to school

With the new academic year in full swing, parenting expert Kirsty Ketley reveals how to make it the best one yet

- Kirsty Ketley

Children up and down the country are now back at school in their new classes after summer. And if it's been stressful bundling them back into the learning routine, don't panic, because some vital help is at hand. Here parenting expert Kirsty Ketley shares her top tips for a smooth seamless school year - and some of them may surprise you...

LABEL EVERYTHING...

Even socks. This will help prevent stuff getting lost, or your child's belongings going home in a friend's school bag.

And while labels do look lovely, a Sharpie or laundry marker is a much cheaper alternative to stick on/iron on/sew on name labels, and just as effective.

...SHOES TOO!

For shoes, cut a sticker in half and put the left side in the left shoe and the right side in the right shoe.

This will ease anxiety, especially post-PE, as it will ensure kids easily identify their shoes, and help with putting on the correct feet.

ONLINE SAFETY

You may want to post about your child's new school year on social media, but when doing so make sure to keep your child safe.