Education

Emotionally Preparing Your Children for Back-to-School Season

Between sheltering-in- ing routine or stepping away from news that Celebrate the start of a new place, online learning makes you anxious. Focus instead on the posi- school year and time away from tive aspects of school, like the opportunity your Try to plan a special activity or friends, many children will child will have to learn, make friends, interact some extra family time the need a little extra support as with others and grow into his or her own per- week before school starts and they head back to school this son. encourage your child to particfall. “Children need a sense of belonging, and ipate in the planning. Consider these tips from the school provides an important connection point “Remember, children didn’t experts to help you emotion- for them,” said Dr. Elanna Yalow, chief aca- have time for a clean break and ally prepare your children to demic officer for KinderCare Learning Centers. celebration at the end of the return to school with confi- “Nothing builds a sense of community like per- last school year, and this can dence, optimism and excite- sonal contact with friends and teachers. That help your child mentally adjust ment. connection is essential in supporting a child’s to a new routine and schedgrowth and development.” ing or coughing, or proper hand washing, em- ule,” Yalow said. Address your feelings (and phasize how your child’s actions can help keep Let your child know how theirs) Set expectations about what to expect before family, friends and teachers safe. proud you are to see him or Children often take cues about the first day “Children may already be apprehensive her growing up, learning how how to react from their par- Some children may feel ready to go and eager about returning to school, let alone trying to to be a good friend and explorents. Think about what it takes to explore, while others can be more reserved cope with new safety practices,” said Dr. Joelle ing and learning about the for you to feel calm and pre- or even fearful of new places, faces and rou- Simpson, a pediatric emergency medicine world. Be sure to talk with pared (or even excited) for the tines. When your child knows what to expect, physician and medical director for emergency your chil1d each school day –start of a new school year. it can go a long way in soothing any worries he preparedness at Children’s National Hospital. what was learned, funny That could mean talking with or she may have about leaving home and going “Explaining these precautions ahead of time things friends said, the things your child’s teacher or school to school. can help your children see them as part of the that seem little but are imporabout the safety precautions It’s also important to respect your child’s school day routine instead of something to tant to your child.p they’re taking so you can feel growing independence and empower him or fear. For parents, remember that while chil- (Family Features). more at ease, taking a few her to help others. As you explain safety pre- dren can get sick from this virus, it occurs less minutes to establish a morn- cautions like covering the mouth when sneez- frequently than in adults and at lower rates than the flu.”