Back to School

Starting school or going back to school can be a stressful time.   Allow children time to adjust. Remind them that everyone feels a little nervous about the first day of school and that it will all become an everyday routine in no time.

It’s also important to talk to children about what worries them and offer reassurance. Are your children afraid that they won’t make new friends or get along with their teachers?

Consider adjusting your own schedule to make the transition smoother. If you are a working parent, taking some time in the morning and afternoon so that you are not rushed and can help with the transition.  Try to arrange your evenings so you can give children as much time as they need to share, talk and decompress, especially during those first few days.

To help ease back-to-school butterflies, try to transition children into a consistent school-night routine a before school starts. You can also prepare them for school with the following tips:

• Make sure your children get enough sleep. Establish a reasonable bedtime so that they will be well-rested and ready to learn in the morning;

• Serve them a healthy breakfast.  They will be more alert and do better academically if they eat a good breakfast every day;

• Have them organize and set out what they need the night before. Have them lay out their clothes in their bedrooms.

To help keep your child healthy at school, ask yourself these questions:

• Have your children received all the necessary immunizations?

• Have you filled out any forms that the school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms?

• Do the school operators, directors and teachers know about any medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day?

• Have you made arrangements with the school administrators to dispense any medications your child might need?

• Do the teachers know about any conditions that may affect how your child learns?

To ensure children get the most out of school, maintain an open channel of communication with the teachers by talking with them frequently.

Most importantly, whether it’s the first day of school or the last, make sure your children know you’re there to listen to their feelings and concerns.