OUTPATIENT SERVICES TESTING, TUTORING, & COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

By Ginny McDonald Tutoring Supervisor Testing, Tutoring, & Counseling Dept at TLC

As the summer winds down, we watch our kids getting antsy as they anticipate the new year. We want this to be a time of excited anticipation from children, as well as last minute attempts to take in as much of the summer as possible. However, transitioning from summer to school can be difficulty for children as well. Here are some helpful strategies to create a successful transition in the fall.

Prepare Your Child:

1. Listen to your child and hear any fears or concerns about the new school year. Are these areas where you can provide help or does the child need to work through these with your guidance? Do you need to seek the help of a professional?

2. If it is a new school, be sure to walk or drive the route so the child knows what to expect.

3. Attend the teacher meet and greet, if there is one so that the child can meet the teacher, see the classroom, and possibly meet other students to become friends with.

4. Go through your child’s clothes and see what fits and hand off what doesn’t. Get used to selecting tomorrow’s clothes today and having them ready for the morning.

5. Talk about the plan for lunches. Will the child take their lunch or buy it? If they are taking lunch, be sure to get a lunch box that they can open independently.