Back-to-school time often means changes for children and families. Making smooth transitions between home and schools can help children feel good about themselves and teach them to trust other adults and children. Helping children adapt to new situations can ease parents’ minds and give them a chance to become involved in their children’s education.
Transitions are exciting opportunities for children to learn and grow. Parents and early childhood professionals share a role in making children feel safe and secure as they move to new educational settings. Of course, such milestones in children’s lives can cause anxiety, too. Strengthening the ties between school and families will help create smooth transitions for adults and children both.
Here are a few suggestions to help ease the transition and promote a successful school experience.
THE FIRST WEEKS OF SCHOOL
Clear your own schedule. To the extent possible, postpone business trips, volunteer meetings and extra projects. You want to be free to help your child acclimate to the school routine and overcome the confusion or anxiety that many children experience. Make sure the children have plenty of time to get up, eat breakfast, and get to school.
Send a brief note to your child’s teacher. Let the teachers know that you are interested in getting regular feedback on how and what your children are doing in school. Be sure to attend curriculum and parent-teacher conferences. Sign up for Infinite Campus, Rockwood’s online student information system.
Familiarize yourself with the other school professionals. Make an effort to find out who in the school or district can be a resource for you and your children. Learn their roles and how best to access their help if you need them. This can include the principal and front office personnel; school counselor, and social worker; the reading specialist, speech therapist, school nurse and afterschool activities coordinator.
OVERCOMING ANXIETY
Let you children know you care. If your children are anxious about school, send personal notes in their lunch box or book bag. Reinforce their ability to cope. Children absorb their parent’s anxiety, so model optimism and confidence for your child. Let them know that it is natural to be a little nervous anytime you start something new, but they will be just fine once they become familiar with their classmates, teacher, and school routine.
Do not over react. If the first few days are a little rough, try not to over react. Young children in particular may experience teachers are trained to help them adjust. Remain calm and positive.
Discuss anxiety over a bad experience the previous year. Children who had a difficult time academically or socially may be more reluctant. If you have not yet done so, share your child’s concern with the school and confirm that the problem has been addressed. Reassure your child that you and the school are working together to prevent further issues. Give them a few strategies to manage a difficult situation on their own, but encourage them to tell you or their teacher if the problem persists. Maintain open lines of communications with the school.
IF A PROBLEM ARISES
These recommendations can contribute to a positive and productive school experience for most children. Some children may exhibit more extreme opposition to or fear of school or may be coping with more specific learning or psychological difficulties. If your child demonstrates problems that seem extreme in nature or go on for an extended period, contact the school to set up an appointment to meet with your child’s teachers and school counselor.
While children can display a variety of behaviors, it is generally wise not to over-interpret those behaviors. More often than not, time and a few intervention strategies will remedy the problem. Most children are wonderfully resilient and, with your support and encouragement, will thrive throughout their school experience.
This information is from the National Association of School Psychologists’ article, “Back to School Transitions: Tips for Parents,” by Ted Feinberg, EdD, NCSP and Katherine C. Cowan is Director of Marketing and Communications for NASP. For more information, visit the NASP Web site at http://www.nasponline.org .