If you have a child heading back to school, you may be wondering how to best support them with the transition to a new school year after summer break. While some kids thrive on the routine of school, others struggle to adjust to a new environment, new peers, or new demands placed on them. Here are some tips for creating a successful back to school experience for your child:
- Create a routine collaboratively with your child. What do you expect your child to do each morning (or the night before) to be prepared for school? Create age appropriate expectations with input from your child and write out the steps together. For younger children or children who need additional support, include visual reminders such as a routine chart with pictures. Don’t just make a routine and expect your child to follow it – listening to their input will likely result in more buy-in and increased cooperation.
- Establish some time to check in with your child about their school day. Some kids may not want to talk about their school day or may be tired at the end of the day. That’s OK. Establish some connection time. Maybe that is before bed, or maybe it is asking for a “rose and thorn” or “high and low” about the day during dinner time. Maybe your child prefers a visual chart where they can put a clip or magnet to indicate how they are feeling about the day rather than communicating verbally. Be flexible and establish a process that works for everyone.
- Use role play to practice how to handle specific challenges. If your child is anxious about what to do if someone teases them, if they can’t open their locker, if they can’t find their classroom or any other problems they may anticipate, role play potential solutions with them. Practice who they might go to, what they might say, etc. For young kids, this can be played out with dolls or stuffed animals instead.
- Set intentions for the year. Have the whole family set intentions for the school year! Maybe this is a specific thing your child wants to learn about or an area they want to grow in. Maybe it is to work on friendships or peer relationships. Your intention as a parent could be to listen first without offering advice, or to help your child stay organized. Let each family member set their own intention, and write them down somewhere where you can come back to them later in the year if you want to check in.
- Identify support people. Identify the people your child can go to for support with a problem or concern. Include both peers and professional supports such as a counselor, teacher, or administrator. Get input from your child, and talk about who might be a good support and when they might go to that person.