Does your son or daughter get the butterflies before going back to school? Or, are they excited to get back into the academic swing of things? You all hope for the latter, but that is not always the case! Here’s what you can do to alleviate the anxiety when your child goes back to school and to make for a successful
transition from a carefree summer to a more rigid schedule.
Problem-Solving
First, tell your child that it is normal to be nervous about returning to school and that many others may feel the same way. Don’t let them feel that they are alone with their apprehension. Talk to them about all their feelings and concerns. Try to address each concern by working together in coming up with how to overcome each concern. If your child participates in the problem-solving, they will be more confident in the execution of the solution. Break down their day in small chunks and outline what will happen so they know what to expect and the day doesn’t seem so overwhelming. Tell them that the day will soon become routine. Kids like routine! For the first few weeks of school, try to spend extra time with them to talk about their day and to address any daily concerns.
Emphasize the Positive
Emphasize the positive about going back to school. You know what pleases your child. You may talk about the fact that they will get to see all their friends. Talk about recess and how fun PE can be if that’s what they like. Remind them of their favorite subjects and that school prepares them for life ahead. Tell them school will make them so much smarter each year and therefore more successful in life. Talk about their interests and how school relates to them.
Proper Sleep and Nutrition
To start the week out on the proper footing, make sure they get enough sleep and start each morning with a healthy breakfast. Your child should get about 10-12 hours of sleep each night. When they are tired, they can become irritable and unable to handle even the simplest task. You know how you can get when you don’t get enough sleep! It makes for a very challenging day! Breakfast is the most important meal. It energizes you and kick-starts the day! Offer whole grain cereals, eggs, fruits, nuts, or yogurt for their breakfast.
Get Organized!
Finally, help them get organized. The night before school, assist them in picking and laying out clothes for the following day. You can also work with them in preparing a lunch. The more you do with them, the more quickly they can become independent and able to do things on their own. Review the morning routine for washing up, dressing, eating breakfast and what time they need to leave for school. Establish a routine. Discuss a good area in your home where they can do their homework. Talk about what makes a good study environment, which is free from distractions and provides enough comfortable space to sit and spread out.
Remember, your child’s teacher is also a great resource! They observe your child every day and can offer ideas to help eliminate any school jitters.
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