One Tree Psychological
Jessica Johnson
After a long and well earned summer for children and teens it is that time again to go back to school. This first day of school alarm can be a rude awakening for some and can bring forward a time for transition. Whether your kiddo is an anxious new kindergartener or a confident teenager going into their last year of highschool it can bring on a new social scene, new classes, new teachers, and new schedules.
How can we help to make this transition from fun in the sun during summer to homework and new experiences during school.
First Day Jitters
The first day of school can be unpredictable and crazy. How can caregivers and children work together to combat these nerves?
- Get a map of the new school or do a visit to the school to get a lay of the land. Find the kiddos’ new locker or new homeroom.
- Work together and pack their backpack a few days before to make sure that nothing is being forgotten, like their gym outfit or new colorful pencils.
- Is finding the best outfit for your first day on your kiddos mind? The key is to wear something that makes them feel good about themselves, this could be a new outfit or their favorite comfy sweater.
- Help your kiddo get to know their schedule and help them to keep an open mind about all thenew teachers they will meet. Teachers can do a lot of things differently which can be scary, try and keep an open mind.
Managing the New Feelings
Lots of people feel anxious, scared, nervous, or excited about going back to school or starting a new school. These emotions are perfectly normal and getting back into a routine after summer and new workloads can bring up emotions that we do not expect. Bringing a special item from home that your child can keep in their backpack or pocket can help to bring safety to this time of transition.
Meeting new people and getting acquainted with old friends after the summer can feel overwhelming. If your kiddo is shy or reserved, they can try saying hi to one new person a day, starting slow can boost confidence.
A strategy that parents can help when there are big feelings when coming home from school is creating a safe space where your child can unwind after school. Try calming activities such as a place for your child to listen to their favorite music, do their favorite creative art activity, or journaling about their day without interruptions. Providing this space helps your kiddo to have somewhere to process emotions and calm their sensory overload.
Having a consistent routine can help your kiddo feel as though they have control and knowledge regarding what they are doing. This includes after school activities, having a schedule of what activities are going on for the whole family where your child can visualize can help with having the knowledge around what to expect during the week. Be sure to give your child some input into what they want to do such as picking their extra curricular activities or helping decorate or add their activities to the family calendar.
Transitioning into a new school year or even a new school can be overwhelming but when kiddos have the support and understanding of their caregivers and support system it can make this transition smoother and less stressful.
