A Parent's Guide to this School Year

Whether your child is entering kindergarten or is a seasoned vet at the first day of school game, the start of the school year is always a transition for both kids and parents. As with any transition, there comes growing pains, probably a little anxiety mixed with some general excitement, and a schedule shift that might take some getting used to. We can’t delay or hide from it, so addressing it head-on with a couple of helpful tips is key to making the First Day of School as seamless, tear-free, and fun as possible.

1.??? Keep the door of emotions open – School is about learning and increasing a student’s book smarts, but it’s also a huge part of developing a child’s social and emotional IQ. This focus can translate to home, by asking your child specific questions about their day that can’t be answered with a simple, “yes” or “no.” Get them talking and engaging about their day.

2.??? Visit the school or classroom prior – Sometimes, change isn’t easy for grown adults who have been on the planet for decades. Think about a child with only a few years under their belt, change can be incredibly new and scary. Driving by the school, visiting the actual classroom, or executing a dry run-through of the first day’s festivities are all great options for getting a child more acclimated to their eventual new environment.

3.??? Create a countdown and keep reading – In our house, we count “sleeps,” but however you choose to count down the time until school starts, coat it with a fun anticipation. Many school districts and towns run summer reading programs, and even if they don’t, create your own. This doesn’t need to be formal, just a way to encourage your child to read throughout the summer and reward them when they hit specific parameters. For example, a simple reward can come after a certain number of consecutive days of reading, a day where they read longer than a set time, or anything that keeps them engaged and excited.?

4.??? Set healthy expectations for all – Give great care to observe what will surround your child and your entire family as the school year begins. Where will your child do their homework, complete their projects, focus on their studies, or enjoy their reading? There should be a distinct separation between the child conducting their schoolwork and the remainder of the family, complete with the space, technology, tools, and resources needed. ?

5.??? Build new positive habits – Over the summer months, our schedules tend to vary from the school year. Although children might miss seeing their classmates daily and attending extra circular activities consistently, the summer leaves more time for creativity and imagination. Take advantage of the slowdown, even if it’s just going for a quick walk together, picnicking outside for lunch, or reading a book on a blanket in the park, find ways to expand your physical, mental, or emotional health.

Preparing for the next school year comes with little and big emotions for both children and parents. Be kind to yourself, give yourself grace, and model this for your children, too. It’s not always about the things we do with them, it’s about the example we set for them.