tipsforastressfreefirstdaybackatschool

Routines, Rules & Attention

Any type of change is stressful, but it is especially hard on children. Sometimes children will act out or behave differently when adjusting to change or a new situation. Routines, rules and attention are ways to help your child deal with any change including going back to school.

Keep as many things the same as possible each day to help children feel safe, happy and in control. Teachers will spend most of the first week of school establishing routines and procedures with their students. Routines at home are also important. For example, the 5 B’s at bedtime: bath, brush teeth, bathroom, books, and bed. Once in bed, it is important to wind down with a soothing activity such as saying a prayer, back scratching, or whatever works for your child. Morning routines are also important to establish the process of getting ready for school. Be sure to begin practicing these routines weeks prior to school.

It’s important to discuss rules and consequences when it comes to your child’s role in getting ready for school and your expectations regarding their behavior. A child’s responsibilities can include making sure the backpack is ready with the previous night’s homework, lunch is packed, and breakfast dishes are cleared. School behavioral expectations include being polite, paying attention, following classroom rules, and listening to the teacher. Children want to please their parents and teachers, and you are outlining the ‘how-to’ for them.

Once at school, it’s important to have a routine and give your child some needed attention and reassurance. Kindergarten seems to be the toughest (on parents especially). From a teacher’s perspective, it is best to keep your good-byes short, sweet and consistent each day. It is confusing to your child if on the first day of school you stay and sit next to them for an hour and the rest of the week you drop him/her off at the door. Start day one with your drop off and pick up plan, but of course add some picture taking to mark the occasion.

Tell them “I love you, and I’ll pick you up at the door” or give them a hug and whisper, “Have a good day” or “Be a good listener”, whatever you think they need to hear that day. My daughter wants a kiss blown through the window – it is a small thing, but it matters to her. A good book to help with this topic is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. Lastly, I know it is easier said than done but don’t feel guilty for leaving your crying child. Usually within minutes, teachers can calm them down.

Back to School Night

Take your time. The top things children will worry about are, “Where are the bathrooms?”, “How does lunch work?”, “Will I know anyone in my class?”, and for older students “Will I get lost, be late or be embarrassed?”, or “Will I be able to open my lock on my locker?” Take your time and walk through all the fears and questions they have. Teachers see self-sufficiency as the top skill children need help with to be ready for school.

Empower Your Child

Children are masters at getting us to do things for them. We think we are helping, but in reality we are making them dependant on us. Empower your child. Practice shoe tying, buttoning, zipping, writing letters and their name, listening to you read an entire book without interrupting, counting, naming colors, etc. Also, let your child be a part of buying school supplies, putting their name on them, and putting them away in their desk or locker. If they need help with any of these tasks, talk out the steps, show the steps, and then have them do the steps themselves. Another common stressor is the lunchroom. Ways to help them feel more confident is to practice their lunch number, go to a buffet, let them use tongs to practice dishing onto a tray and practice opening milk cartons.

Get Involved and Know the Teacher

Parental involvement is a huge factor in a child’s success in school. Being a room parent, joining the PTA, or volunteering at an event will keep you connected to the happenings of your child’s school life. Also, get your child’s daily school schedule and ask the teacher about their expectations or for advice on how you should help with homework. Some teachers may just want you to check the planner and sign off on the work being done while others might have work for you and your child to do together each night.

All of these ideas will help both you and your child ease into the ‘back to school’ transition. If you have an extra-sensitive-to-change-child, you may want to try further coping strategies to help calm and relax. Try an earlier bedtime, listen to music, walk to school together, take deep breaths, practice thinking about their ‘happy place’ or send a family picture or stuffed animal in their backpack for comfort. After school, fi nd out about their day. Ask open ended questions like “Tell me about your favorite part of the day?” In the car or at dinner have everyone share something good or bad about their day. This helps kids understand we all have difficult days and allows your family to work together to create solutions.

Your belief in your child, your ability to talk to them about their fears, and your resolve to get them to school each day will make all the difference. Teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, and counselors are ready to help any child who needs a little more reassurance or TLC to feel safe those fi rst days. Together, we will all get through it!

Children’s laughter and happy chatter fills the hearts of listeners as well as the hallways at Elim Rehab and Care Center. The on-campus offers a Christian learning environment for ages two years to pre-kindergarten.

The well-rounded preschool curriculum integrates important life skills into daily life, and encourages respect and compassion for others. Call for a tour.

No wonder more people prefer Elim.