Back to School: Helping Kids Get the Best Start By Colleen Longua BCN-T, QEEG-T, ISF
We’ve all been there. It’s the middle of summer, full of swim lessons, vacations, and late bedtimes. Then, you blink and it’s back to school season. All of a sudden, you’re shopping for new backpacks and shoes, meeting teachers, signing kids up for sports and extracurriculars and trying to get back into the school routine. It can be a chaotic time for both parents and students. So, what can you do to ensure that you and your kids have the best start to the new school year?
Plan Ahead
The school year can creep up on kids, leading to difficulty with the transition. Now is a great time to start conversations with your kids about what to expect with the new school year. Decide on bedtimes and morning routines ahead of time so kids are prepared for the changes. If you can, have a school calendar with big events like back to school nights, sports tournaments, and school breaks.
Start the New Routine Early
During the summer break, bedtimes often get later and routines can get lost. Instead of trying to jump back into the new routine the first day of school, start implementing new bedtimes and wake up times a few weeks before. This will help give your kids time to adjust, ensuring they are already used to the new routine by the time school starts.
Talk About Back to School Excitement and Anxieties
The start of school can be an exciting time for kids but it can also cause a lot of anxiety. The months away from the classroom can make it hard to come back, especially for kids who are starting school, transitioning from elementary school to middle school or high school, or starting at a new school altogether. Take some time to ask your child what they are most looking forward to and what they are the most nervous about. It may be beneficial to make a plan for how to navigate potential challenges. Sometimes simply having the space to talk about their expectations, hopes, and fears can help your child feel much more confident about going back to school.
Foster Friendships
Whether your child is in first grade or twelfth grade, peer relationships are one of the most important parts of school. Helping your child create and maintain friendships is one of the best ways to help them learn and grow. You can encourage your child to find peers with similar interests, invite kids from their class over for study groups, and join extracurricular activities so they can interact with other kids outside the classroom.
For teens, they may keep in touch with their friends over social media. While this is a great way to stay connected, it can also lead to things like feeling left, social comparison, and cyberbullying. Check in with your teen about their social media use. For more tips on social media use for teens, click here.
Give Your Child (And Yourself) Grace
The back to school season can be a stressful time for both parents and kids. While we may do our best to plan, prepare, and get organized, the school year can still throw curve balls. The first few days or weeks of school may be challenging for your family. It is okay if your child is struggling with the new routine, new classes, teachers, or peers. It can take time to get back into the swing of things. You don’t need to be a perfect parent or follow a perfect schedule to ensure your child has a great school year. Sometimes, it’s enough to just get them out the door with both their shoes on during hectic weekday mornings. Letting your kids know you love them and are there to support them will matter far more than color-coded calendars and Pinterest-worthy lunches.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Parenting is a big job. So is being a kid in school. If you notice that your child is struggling with sleep, anxiety, focus, motivation, or emotional regulation, reach out to their school counselor or school psychologist. If you are feeling overwhelmed, constantly stressed out, or fatigued, relief is available. Sometimes taking care of yourself can be the best gift you can give to your kids. If you or your child is struggling this school year, or if you simply want to give your child the best start to the year, reach out to our team at Mind Body Neuro. We are here to ensure your family is set up for success this school year.
