Tips for the Transition Back to School
For most of us, the transition back to school brings blended feelings of excitement and apprehension. Here are some tips that can help our families proactively greet the school year in a more confident and connected way:
Plan an intentional conversation with our children about the upcoming year. Ask about what they’re looking forward to, as well as what might be sparking feelings of unease. Knowing about these feelings in advance can help to bring us all into alignment, and can offer us an opportunity to explore strategies for addressing potential struggles.
Moving abruptly from the oftentimes looser, less-structured routines of summer back into school day schedules can be tricky. We can support our children during the lead-up by gradually reestablishing a predictable routine that incorporates intentional sleep hygiene, nutrition, and physical activity.
Work with our children to create an “All About Me” sheet that summarizes favorite subjects, goals for the year, and any information about their unique learning style and needs—along with suggestions for how teachers can best support. This type of proactive offering can lay the foundation for clear, open, and consistent communication between parents and teachers as the year progresses.
Plan to attend our school’s summer orientation day or back-to-school picnic, as this can help to establish a positive and relaxed connection before the busyness of the first days and weeks. Our children might also enjoy visiting school the week before classes begin, and it's always worth requesting this type of appointment if we think that a preview will be beneficial.
As parents, we can specifically consider how we’ll take care of ourselves in an ongoing way as we mobilize to support our families through this upcoming year. Identify supports and adopt a mindset of curious optimism for the year ahead.
Wishing all families a year of growth and sweet moments as we prepare for our children to shine. We’re in this together.