Photo courtesy of Jessica Cashiola
For some children , the beginning of the school year is one they ’ ve been waiting all summer for , yet for others it can bring added stress for not only the student but the parents as well . This school year , be prepared with some tips from the experts to make the transition smoother from the video game , pool swimming , dog days of summer to the waking up early , sport saturated , friendship filled days of the fall .
Children can experience a mix of emotions when going to school for the first time or returning again to a familiar environment . Getting butterflies , general worry , and excitement are common .
Among the biggest worries of preschool children are feeling left out , being teased , or saying goodbye to their caregiver at drop off .
Concerns of school-aged children are about exams , not wanting to return to school , and problems with teachers , while some feel lonely and isolated .
The main concerns for teens are coping with stress , school or study problems , and mental health .
If your child seems nervous to go back to school , it can be helpful to rehearse the situation by taking them to visit the school or classroom before the first day of school . Remind them that there are probably many other students who are also uneasy about the first day of school . Ask your child specifically what they are worried about and help them problem solve ways to master the new situation .
Set up a back-to-school routine by creating structure . Create a practical chart for getting ready , which could include what needs to be done each day before school like getting up , eating breakfast , getting dressed , and whatever else your child might need from you to get ready , and what they can do on their own .
The National Sleep Foundation suggests starting two weeks before the first day of school to establish sleep routine habits , but a week beforehand will help get your kid on the right track . Parents go back to school with their children in a sense , so consider adjusting your own schedule to make the transition smoother .
Insufficient sleep is associated with lower academic achievement in middle school , high school and college , as well as higher rates of absenteeism and tardiness . The optimal amount of sleep for most younger children is 10 to 12 hours per night and for adolescents ( 13-18 years of age ) is in the range of 8 to 10 hours per night .
Your child has insight into their school experiences ,
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so ask your child directly what worries them . You can offer support by normalizing experiences of worry and nerves and reassuring your child the feelings they have are common and they will likely overcome them once they have settled in .
A sense of belonging at school can affect academic success and student well-being . Parents can facilitate positive attitudes about school by setting an encouraging tone when talking about it and showing interest in school life by being available to support both academically and socially .
More than half of the parents in a WebMd survey said homework and schoolwork were the greatest drivers of stress for their children . When parents are more engaged in their child ’ s schoolwork , they are better able to support them through it , so dig in and learn alongside them .
Research suggests parents can miss stress or anxiety in their children and some signs that can be missed are an increased desire to avoid activities , trying to get out of going to school , appearing restless or flighty , being more clingy than usual , or anything that might be out of the typical norm . If the behavior is persistent , talk to your child ’ s teacher and work on a strategy for support as there may be more going on than usual school nerves , like bullying .
Most importantly , let your child know nothing is off-limits to talk about and even set up times to catch up throughout the week so you can be more in tune with what your child is going through .
Going back to school can be an exciting and stressful time for the entire family , so take some of that stress away with a little planning and good conversation .
Photo by Jennifer Browning