Easing The Back To School Jitters

Easing The Back To School Jitters

The first day of school is an important time for parents and their children. Each year brings a new beginning with a new teacher, friends, and activities. Often our children do not share our excitement about going back to school. 

Any time your little one has anxiety or jitters about doing something new, it is usually because they are frightened of the unknown. Here are a few strategies that can help relieve these fears and make this transition go more smoothly:

Sleep: Make sure your child gets back on a routine before school starts. Getting plenty of sleep helps to decrease tantrums and irritability.  A well -rested child can also manage changes more easily.

School Supplies: Include your child and make a special day out of going to get school supplies.  Go to lunch, have them pick out their own lunch box and back pack.

Talk about it: Use foreshadowing by telling your child what the day will look like and what he will be doing. If your child verbalizes his fears, try to send the messages that will help him feel good about who he is such as: “I know that change is difficult for you.”/ “ You like to know what to expect before you have to do it.”/ “I know this is a big day for you”.

Visit school: Whether your child will be walking or taking the bus to school, go for a “dry run”. Take the same route that your child will be walking or driving. Talk about the things he will be doing and seeing.

Create a homework station: Set up a little spot in your home (close to you so that you can be nearby) that your child can do homework. Make it special with all of the things he will need, i.e. paper, crayons, and pencils.

Read Books:  Read books about going to school. You can also make your own book. Take a few pictures (the bus, the outside of school, classroom, teacher, lunch area, etc.). Make the pictures into a book. 

Under each picture, put a different step to the event and talk about it. This will help to prepare your child for what will be happening.

Saying goodbye: Practice saying goodbye. For children who have not gone to daycare or a babysitter, the “goodbye” at the school bus or at the front door of school can be upsetting. Practice. Do it a couple of times so that your child knows what to expect.

If you need additional support with your child, please contact us at www.villagebabyconsultants.com

– Joanne