Back-To-School Transition Tips For Your Child
Children have just spent the last few months exploring the world around them, playing outside, and having fun with family and friends! Which means that the transition back to school full-time can sometimes be challenging, as is not always an easy task for your child to return to school after a fun-filled summer break. It is an adjustment for children, mentally, physically and emotionally to experience these changes. Their routine has to adjust again and your child has to find a way to navigating a new routine. Which means that they feel anxious, overwhelmed and a bit frustrated with finding effective ways to adapt.
Returning back to school, means anxiety will be present for your child. And listen…this is completely natural!
Lots of change is happening, as there are new routines, new peers, new teachers…and maybe even a new school! So, it is okay in that moment for your child to feel anxious and maybe a bit overwhelmed. They are doing their best to adapt to their new schedule and finding a new groove that works best for them. Over the years, you may have already created a game plan to prepare your child for going back to school.
However, if you are curious and looking for ways to help your child reintegrate back into the school year, here are some ways to help facilitate a smooth and gentle transition to help your child feel successful in transitioning back into the school year.
Keep the Summer Fun: Try to plan at least one activity for the first few weeks of school
Create a Fun Ritual: Create your own drop-off routine with your child! Maybe you can sing a song together or make lunches together before leaving the house
Listen to Any of the Stress, Frustration or Anxiety your Child is Expressing: Allow your child to express anxiety and teach emotion regulation. This can be done together by practicing breathing exercises or even drawing out frustrations through art activities
Make your Schedule as Consistent as Possible: Your child will be exhausted after a full school day, especially during the first couple of weeks. Try not to make extra appointments for the first couple of weeks of school, so your child can relax after school and readjust to the daily routine and increase in demands
Work with your Child as much as Possible: Being flexible and open to change, especially at the beginning of a new school year, is essential as this will allow you to set up school-day routines gradually instead of all at once in order to find what works best for your child
Gives some Grace: Stress on one member of the family impacts the whole family, but remembering to take a deep breath, understanding the circumstances, and even finding a way to laugh together can help make everyone feel more at ease
Relax yourself!: Beginning a new school year can be stressful for parents too! Kick off your shoes and relax!
Transitioning back into the school routine after a long break can be daunting.
However, there are things you can do to support your child and make the transition as easy and less stressful. It simply involves planning ahead, being open and receptive to necessary changes, and communicating needs and wants.
If you see changes in your child’s overall demeanor after the first few weeks of school, including sadness, acting out in ways they haven’t before, exhaustion or even withdrawn, your child may need more time to adjust. They may need different changes in routine to reduce the stress they are experiencing. Maybe an earlier bedtime, a bigger breakfast or even just more quality time with a parent at night. However, if your child seems to be having more persistent difficult adjusting, reaching out to a child therapist for additional support may be beneficial for your child.
