A new school year is a time of excitement and anticipation. But for many kids, it can also bring anxiety. The transition from the laid-back days of summer to a classroom with a new teacher, new classmates and new rules is a big adjustment.
With a little planning, parents can help. In the weeks and days before school bells start to ring, make an effort to talk about the new year, practice the changes to the routine and frame the return to class in a positive light. Here are some specific steps to get started.
- Slowly shift the bedtime schedule. Getting enough sleep can help your child to think more clearly and may also help regulate their mood. But if your family is like many, sleep schedules might have gotten a bit lax over the summer. The Cleveland Clinic suggests making gradual changes by moving bedtime up by about 15 minutes every two to three days until you reach your back-to-school goal. Depending on their age, kids should be getting 10 to 12 hours of sleep. See the guide by age here to determine the ideal bedtime for your household.
- Fill the social calendar with school friend meet-ups. Set up playdates and encourage your kids to reconnect with their school friends during the remaining days of summer. That’ll give them a chance to catch up on all that’s happened since school let out, while also brushing up on their social skills and mentally preparing for the classroom.
- Visit the school. Attend any back-to-school orientations, open houses and other events that may help your family prepare for what’s ahead. Also, plan a practice day so that your child knows what to expect on the morning school begins. Set an alarm, get dressed and packed up, have breakfast together and then walk, drive or bike the route they’ll be taking.
- Plan lunches and snacks together. Talk to the kids about what they’d like to eat during and after school and go shopping together. Find healthy treats they’re excited about so they have something to look forward to at lunchtime. Stock the pantry and refrigerator with healthy after-school snacks, like carrots and peanut butter or yogurt and fruit, so they’ll have a little extra fuel to get through their homework.
- Establish a homework space. Make sure your child knows they have a quiet place in the home that’s free of distractions so they can concentrate on their homework. Take them along to help pick out school supplies and décor that will make this space distinctly theirs.
- Talk openly about what’s ahead. Frame conversations around all the exciting things that a new school year brings: opportunities to make new friends, learn, join clubs, participate in sports and so much more. At the same time, encourage your child to speak openly about any worries they might have, and let them know it’s normal to be a little nervous. If you’re worried that your child is struggling with anxiety a few weeks after school begins, and you notice that it’s impacting their behavior and their learning, talk to their doctor about it.
- Plan a fun activity during the first week of school. The fun doesn’t have to stop when summer ends. Ask your kids to help choose an enjoyable outing you can do together during the first week of school. Something as simple as getting an ice cream cone to celebrate the first day gives the whole family something to rally around.
Before you know it, your back-to-school routine will feel like just that: a routine. But in those early days, give yourself and your family time to adjust. Be patient, encouraging and positive during this time of transition. And know that by the fall, those jitters will likely feel like a distant memory.
