Back to School
We all remember the mixture of emotions that going back to school often brings. You’re anxious and excited, but disappointed that summer’s over all at the same time. Whether the sunny season was jam-packed with activities from start to finish, or filled with complaints that they were bored to tears with nothing to do, many kids of all ages have a hard time making the transition from pool to school.
Battling the Butterflies
As with any new or potentially unsettling situation - be it starting school for the first time or entering a new grade or a new school - allow your child time to adjust. Remind your child that everyone feels a little nervous about the first day of school - even Mom and Dad and probably even the teacher - and that it will all become an every-day routine in no time. Emphasize the positive things about going back to school, such as hanging out with old friends, meeting new classmates, buying cool school supplies, and showing off the new fall duds (or snazzy accessories if your child has to wear a uniform).
It’s also important to talk to kids about what worries them and offer reassurance: Are they afraid they won’t make new friends or get along with their teachers? Is the thought of schoolwork stressing them out? Are they worried about the bully from last year?
You may want to consider adjusting your own schedule to make the transition smoother. It’s especially beneficial for parents to be home at the end of the school day for the first week. But many working moms and dads just don’t have that flexibility. If you can’t be there when school lets out, try to arrange your evenings so that you’re able to give your child as much time as he or she needs, especially during those first few days.
If your child is starting a new school, contact the school before the first day to arrange a day and time to visit. And ask if your child can be paired up with another student, or “buddy,” to help your child get acquainted with the new people and surroundings, suggests the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Some schools may also provide maps that your child can carry around until things become more familiar.
To help keep kids’ back-to-school butterflies at bay, try to transition your child into a consistent school-night routine 1 or 2 weeks before school starts. It’s also a good idea to make sure kids:
~get enough sleep (establish a reasonable bedtime so that they’ll be well-rested and ready to learn in the morning)
~eat a healthy breakfast (kids are more alert and do better in school if they eat a good breakfast every day)
~write down the need-to-know info to help them remember all of the details, such as their locker combination, what time classes and lunch start and end, their homeroom and classroom numbers, teachers’ and/or bus driver’s names, etc.
~use a wall calendar or personal planner to record when assignments are due, tests will be given, extracurricular practices and rehearsals will be held, etc.
~have them organize and set out what they need for the school day the night before (i.e., homework and books should be put in their backpacks by the front door, and clothes should be laid out in their bedrooms)
Although it’s normal to be anxious in any new situation, a few children develop real physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, associated with the start of school. If you’re concerned that your child’s worries go beyond the normal back-to-school jitters, speak with your child’s doctor, teacher, or school counselor.
Back-to-School To-Do’s
It’s understandable for parents themselves to be a little nervous about the first day of school, especially if they’re seeing their little one off for the first time or if their child will be attending a new school.
To help make going to school a little easier on both of you, the AAP has compiled a handy checklist:
What to wear, bring, and eat:
*Will your child need a change of clothes for PE or art class?
*Does your child have a safe backpack that’s lightweight, with two wide, padded shoulder straps, a waist belt, a padded back, and multiple compartments?
*Does your child know not to overload his or her backpack and to be sure it’s stowed safely at home and school?
*Will your child buy lunch at school or bring it from home? If he or she buys a hot lunch, how much will it cost per day or per week? Do you have a weekly or monthly menu of what will be served?
*Have you stocked up on all of the necessary school supplies? (Letting kids pick out a new lunchbox and a set of pens, pencils, binders, etc., helps get them geared up for going back to school.)
Medical issues:
~Has your child received all of the necessary immunizations?
~Have you filled out any forms that the school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms?
~Does the school nurse and your child’s teacher know about any medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes, and any other conditions that may need to be managed?
~Have you made arrangements with the school nurse to administer any medications your child might need on the first day or regularly throughout the school year?
~Does your child’s teacher know about any conditions that may affect how your child learns? For example, a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be seated in the front of the room, and a child with vision problems should sit near the board.
Transportation and safety:
*Do you know what time school starts and how your child will get there?
*If your child will be riding the bus, do you know where the bus stop is and what time he or she will be picked up and dropped off?
*Do you know where the school’s designated drop-off and pick-up area is?
*Are there any regulations on bicycles or other vehicles, such as scooters?
*Have you gone over traffic safety information, stressing the importance of crossing at the crosswalk (never between parked cars or in front of the school bus), waiting for the bus to stop before approaching it, and understanding traffic signals and signs?
*If your child walks or bikes to school, have you asked a friend or classmate to accompany him or her? Have you mapped out a safe route?
*If your child walks or bikes to school, does he or she understand that it’s never OK to accept rides, candy, or any other type of invitation from anyone he or she doesn’t know?
Other Articles of Interest
Public vs. private: Which is right for your child?: When you were old enough to begin kindergarten, chances are you went to the public school around the corner, or perhaps to the religious school
What’s life like as a Special Needs Child?: Isn’t every kid special? We think so, but what do we mean when we say “kids with special needs”? This means any kid who might
Fears: All children have fears at some point in their life and it is usually considered to be a normal part of development. These fears are