Getting Your Child Ready for a New School Year
The end-of-summer blues can affect everyone, but students are usually the ones who experience it the most. Going from enjoying three sunshine and laughter filled months to regretfully remembering the rules and structure associated with school can be difficult on children. One unavoidable fact that often adds to the stress? Starting them at a new school with completely different teachers, students and social norms.
Entering middle school can be an especially daunting transition. Puberty, hormones and bodily changes as well as social anxiety can all contribute to this already fearful time in a pre-teen's life. According to Great! Schools, your child with learning or attention difficulties typically experiences even more concern.
This guide for parents offers a few simple pointers to help alleviate the stress of getting your son or daughter back to school.
Look at the new school's website with your child. Logistics and rules are one of the most common fears that a new middle school pupil faces. How will I know how to navigate the hallways? Where are the bathrooms? What about the cafeteria? Accompanying your child on campus tours and orientations will help too.
Buy your child a lock for his or her locker well before school starts. This allows time to learn how to open it and memorize the code.
Social fears play a major role in this new setting. Will I have to eat lunch alone? Will other kids be mean? What if I am excluded from groups? Psychology Today points out that entry anxiety is common. Establishing a new sense of familiarity is key. Talk about what traits a good friend possesses, encourage sports teams and extracurricular activities, and remind your child to make eye contact during conversation.
Academic fears are another aspect that your son or daughter may be worried about. Reinforce the strategies that have worked in the past when it comes to homework, such as writing assignments down in an agenda book.
Meet with teachers early in the school year so that they have an understanding of your child's strengths and weaknesses.
If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), make sure that it is finalized and submitted to the IEP team at the school well before the start of the school year - usually before Spring.
Create a plan for time management by creating a schedule for homework, chores and activities.
Encourage self advocacy by teaching the practice of communicating with teachers about needs before requiring parental intervention.
The first few weeks of this new stage in your child's life is critical. Be very involved and be sure to empathize with him or her during uncomfortable times. Offer reassurance that this transition period is only temporary. Most children settle in after a few months at a new school, but sometimes it's less time than that.
Do you have any tried and true methods for preparing your child for the school year? Share in the comments section below!