Setting the Stage for School Success

Many children have mixed feelings about returning to school in the fall. Sure, there are friends to see, field trips, the excitement of having a new teacher, and the anticipation of new learning at this grade level. However, there are also the early morning wake-ups, the loss of free time, homework hassles, and worries about learning new skills. Children who struggle in school, whether academically, socially, or emotionally, may experience more negative emotions than their peers. It is important to remember each school year offers the opportunity for new beginnings. Enthusiasm and optimism can go a long way towards helping your child stay positive. Suggestions for easing the transition back to school: • When shopping for school supplies, follow your child’s lead. Some children love to be involved and want to choose everything from their backpacks to pencils to tubes of glue sticks. Picking out their supplies builds enthusiasm for the year ahead and you can increase this with comments like, “It will be fun getting organized with all these neat folders,” or “Do you want to pick some special pencils just for homework?” On the other hand, for some children, shopping for school supplies brings up all the negative emotions they have about school, increasing their anxiety or frustration. Give your child the choice and let her know it’s okay if she doesn’t shop with you. • Ease into a school year schedule at least one to two weeks before school begins. If your child has been going to bed late and sleeping in, it will take a little while to get back on track. Gradually move bedtime up in fifteen to thirty minute increments (and wake your child earlier and earlier). Your goal should be to have your child on the school schedule at least three to four days before the first day of school. • Establish a designated homework space with your child. Whether this is in the child’s room, at the kitchen table, or in a home office, this area should be relatively free from distractions (no TV), have good lighting, and be close to needed supplies (pencils, erasers, scissors, etc.). Decide on the homework routine you want to follow. Will your child come home, eat a snack, and then do homework before dinner? Does your child need more of a break than that with snack and playtime and dinner coming before homework time? Does your child need to work in short increments, perhaps doing math problems before dinner and reading homework after dinner? You can always adjust this later, but it’s a good idea to decide on a plan before school begins. • Establish a designated spot for school “stuff”. A place in your home for the backpack, a tray for important papers, a shelf for library books….helping your child get and stay organized will prevent those early morning cries of, “Where’s my homework?” or “What did you do with my permission slip?” • Listen to your child’s concerns. If your child is anxious, be supportive. Offer suggestions, share stories from your own school days, stay optimistic and reassure your child that all will be well. If your child is really struggling with anxiety about the new school year, probe a bit to see if there is something in particular that you might be able to help with. Worries about friendships can sometimes be resolved by setting up play dates before school starts. Worries about the new teacher can be solved by calling the school office and arranging a time to stop by to meet the teacher and see the classroom before the first day of school. Sometimes it takes an extra call to a school counselor to get this set up, but it’s worth it. Just remember to stay calm, reassuring, and positive. Your child will follow your lead. • Enjoy these last weeks of summer! School hasn’t started yet. Ask your child what fun summer activities he would like to do one last time before school starts. Whether it’s another hike in the woods, a trip to the beach or pool, a picnic in the backyard, or an afternoon at the movies, fill your days with activities you don’t normally do during the school year. Making wonderful memories is an important part of summer vacation!