Back to School: preparing your grade school kids for their return to school
As the summer holidays come to a close, preparing your grade school children for their return to school is essential for a smoother, more stress-free transition. The shift from a carefree summer schedule to a structured school environment can be challenging for kids. With new classrooms, teachers, and sometimes unfamiliar classmates, proper preparation can ease anxiety and set the stage for a successful school year ahead.
The Importance of a Smooth Transition
A well-planned transition from summer to school not only helps children adjust more quickly but also fosters a positive attitude towards learning. Children thrive on routine, and establishing a back-to-school schedule can help children adapt to new expectations. This transition period allows them to reconnect with the learning environment, leading to improved academic performance and better emotional well-being. Start the school year routines the last week of summer like earlier bed times, regularly schedules meal times, and limited screen times.
Addressing New Classrooms and Friendships
Moving to a new classroom can be daunting, especially for children who find comfort in their friends. If your child discovers that their close friends are not in their classroom, it’s crucial to remind them that this is an opportunity to make new friends, and that many children feel the same way. Encourage open discussions about their feelings and help them develop strategies for meeting new classmates. Help them plan after school play dates with their old friends in order to maintaining the familiarity and comfort of these relationships. Plan extra curricular activities like sports, music, and other interests outside of school with their familiar friends while they acclimatize to new relationships in the classroom.
Accessing Support
In addition to preparing your child for back to school, it’s essential for parents to know the resources available within the school community. Teachers play a significant role in easing the transition; establishing open lines of communication with them can help you and your child feel more supported. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the teacher if you notice your child facing challenges. School guidance counsellors are also excellent resources for academic and emotional support. Additionally, public health nurses can provide insights related to health and wellness as children readjust to the school setting. Get to know the preferred method of contact with these resources like phone, email, text, or the online classroom platform.
The Role of Mental Health Counsellors
For some families, the transition back to school may bring up deeper emotional concerns. Accessing mental health counselling from a licensed therapist can provide a valuable outlet for discussion and coping strategies, not only for children but for the entire family. Therapists can help identify any anxiety or stress related to the school transition and develop personalized strategies to manage these feelings effectively.
Top 20 Tips for Helping Kids Prepare for Going Back to School
1. Establish a Routine: Gradually introduce a consistent daily schedule that mimics school hours. Begin to introduce these routines the last or second last week of summer break.
2. Visit the School: If possible, visit the school to familiarize your child with the new environment. This can help them visualize the yard, the building, the classroom, the correct door to enter as they think about their return.
3. Meet the Teacher: Attend any orientation sessions to meet the new teacher and become acquainted with their style and their preferred method of communication throughout the school year.
4. Discuss Friendship Dynamics: Talk openly about your child’s friendships and the possibility of new connections.
5. Set Up a Study Area: Create a designated homework space to encourage focus and organization. A highly visible location such as the kitchen table or island, the living or family room are preferred areas of the home over your child’s room so that online access can be monitored by parents.
6. Practice Separation: If your child struggles with separation anxiety, practice short goodbyes to help ease the transition and limit communications throughout the day to emergencies only if your child has a phone or device.
7. Daily Discussions: Discuss what they’re looking forward to and any worries they might have. Be sure to validate whatever feelings your child is having. Even if you know they’re going to be AOK, it’s important to let you child know that their fears and doubts are a normal response to these unknowns.
8. Read Together: Choose back-to-school themed books to read together to normalize the transition.
9. Role Play: Practice social scenarios to build confidence in making new friends.
10. Encourage Participation: Sign up for extracurricular activities to enhance social interactions.
11. Healthy Routines: Encourage healthy eating and hydration habits for sustained energy and focus.
12. Sleep Schedule: Adjust bedtime gradually to ensure your child is well-rested in time for school.
13. Use Visual Aids: Create a visual calendar to mark important school events and milestones. A family calendar with everyones’ activities and events, colour-coded for each member, is a great way to let everyone know what’s happening throughout the school year.
14. Incorporate Fun: Keep the mood light and fun with back-to-school shopping or when accessing community resources for school supplies. The House of Blessing, United Way, and Salvation Army are resources that can be accessed by everyone.
15. Limit Screen Time: Reduce screen time leading up to school to encourage other engaging activities.
16. Teach Coping Strategies: Introduce simple breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques. Inhale through your nose to the count of 4, hold for 4, exhale through your mouth to the count of 6. Making the exhale longer than the inhale encourages the nervous system to regulate to a calm, rest and digest state.
17. Check-In Regularly: Have regular conversations about how school is going. Ask more, “what was good about school today” and less “how was school today” to encourage more content rich responses.
18. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge accomplishments, no matter how small, to boost their confidence. Small celebrations go a long way in building confidence, self esteem, and assertiveness skills.
19. Be Available: Let your child know you are always there to talk about their day.
20. Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if your child or you need additional support.
Preparing your grade school children for their return to school involves a combination of practical tips and emotional support. By establishing routines, encouraging social interactions, and knowing when to seek professional assistance, parents can ensure that their children transition back to school with confidence and ease, setting the foundation for a fruitful school year.
For more information regarding back to school support from one of our licensed therapists, call us at 226-261-0059 or email us at info@goodtherapyworks.ca. We’re happy to support your family’s needs.