As we begin the month of August, families start to prepare for another school year. This transition affects the whole family. If children are excited about returning and start off successful then the transition can be smooth. When children have some fears about going back then the adjustment can be difficult. Either way, normalizing is important. It’s an exciting time, but also one of uncertainty. Whatever the transition is like, parents are instrumental in supporting their child in developing skills for coping with changes that can last a lifetime. Here are some tips to consider easing this transition for kids as they head into a new school year.
Communicate. To ease the transition back to school, parent and child communication is key. Discuss expectations and arrangements for before and after school. This might include a review of transportation, bus routes, walking or riding a bike to school. It may be helpful to try driving or walking these routes with kids to help review and talk about safety. Talk to your child about things they look forward to or concerns that they may have. Allowing children and teens to express their fears or hopes without fear of retribution by parents is important. Kids will need to be able to talk to parents openly about tough things. Demonstrating that you can keep cool and be objective is supportive for them when they come to you with tough topics. Having an open opportunity to be able to talk with kids can alleviate any fears that may come up and develop tools with them that can help them cope.
Set kids up for success. The transition to back to school can be taxing as kids shift to longer days of structured activities and learning. Practice going to bed earlier and waking up around the time school starts can help them get back into the groove. Ensure kids are well rested, have a healthy diet, and adequate exercise to build their resiliency and transition back to school and cope with stressors that may come up. Develop healthy outlets and coping skills with kids. Structured time is good, but just like adults, kids need time to unwind. Tap into their strengths and abilities to find activities or sports that promote their self-confidence to begin another year of learning.
Teachers are allies. I think it is encouraging for families to remember that teachers and other school staff care about our kids too. Developing a rapport with your child’s teachers can be another tool to navigate any concerns that your child presents both academically or emotionally. Communicate respectfully with teachers, counselors if issues present.
If your child or teen has underlying mental health or trauma related concerns that make this transition more difficult than what is considered typical, don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care specialist or professional counselor for a consultation. The Power County Family Clinic offers counseling services with Jill Gehring, LCSW. To schedule an appointment, please call 208-226-1057 at Power County Family Clinic. We wish your family wellness and a great school year to come.