Returning to school brings a lot of happiness to our children, but it can also bring anxiety and other mental health concerns. While we may not know exactly how each school year will be for our kids, the usual mixed emotions about returning to school will undoubtedly face every child.
To ease your minds, we’re here to support you with some general tips on preparing to return to school feeling more empowered as a family.
Get Familiar Before School Starts
An introduction to their new environment and schedule can go a long way toward making kids comfortable when school starts. Here are a few to incorporate in your plans.
Participate in Back-to-School Activities
Look into whether your child’s school organizes get-togethers, such as a back-to-school night, before the start of the new school year. Meeting their new teachers, seeing their classroom and getting to know some of the other kids can go a long way toward increasing their comfort level at school and reducing anxiety.
If your district doesn’t offer these events, connect with the school to get your questions answered or help your child review their school’s website for information and pictures.
Establish New Routines
Setting and maintaining a routine is important for kids. The routine structure makes them feel more comfortable and know what they should expect on a daily basis. You should make sure your child knows and understands your new expectations regarding the upcoming school schedule, including chores, homework, wake-up, bedtimes and mealtimes. This structure will carry over into the school day and can help your child acclimate to the new routines, helping them to feel confident to face each school day.
Share Your Excitement
You can also “talk up” the benefits of your child’s school. This may mean focusing on how they can see classmates once again, play with others for recess, ride the bus to school like a “big kid,” or attend art or music class every week. Shifting your child’s focus to something positive about school will help reduce mental challenges like anxiety and better prepare them for the rest of the school year.
Acknowledge and Validate Their Emotions
It’s important to acknowledge everything your child’s feeling, especially at the start of the school year, since it tends to cause so much anxiety — but this same level of emotional support should last the whole year through.
Staying in close communication with your child from the beginning to the end of the school year can help you avoid many emerging mental health issues. Make the conversation about your child’s school day an expected part of your family routine. Dinnertime is a great opportunity to ask your child about the best part of their day and the most challenging aspects. Finding out sooner rather than later that your child is experiencing challenges increases the chances you can help them resolve it.
Allow your child to safely experience the range of emotions that come with a new school year. Let them talk openly, and don’t dismiss any feelings, even when they may seem dramatic to you. If a child feels their feelings aren’t being respected, they may be less likely to share them with you in the future. Cultivating a safe space for your child to express their emotions nurtures their mental health, helping them feel whole.
Help Them Face Challenges with Schoolwork
Starting back to school means moving up to the next grade level, and with that comes a step up in the difficulty and complexity of school assignments and homework. It’s important to encourage them so they feel they have the skills to accomplish what’s being asked of them. Confidence goes a long way for mental health.
Some kids welcome these challenges, while others take a little more time to adjust. You can help set them up for success by:
Organizing the Night Before
Shop with your child for school supplies online this year, and help your child to organize their school essentials before school starts, which includes their backpack, homework, packed lunch or lunch money, jacket and shoes. Having these items ready to go by the door gives you and your child fewer things to stress about leading up to the start of school and during the weekday morning rush.
Stay Rested and Healthy
Taking simple steps such as making sure your kids get plenty of sleep on school nights or starting their day with a nutritious breakfast go a long way in fueling their bodies (and brains) for the day’s challenges. Ask them how they feel about the upcoming school day to regulate their mental health.
Encourage Your Child to Get Involved
Seek out opportunities for your child to get involved with activities they enjoy. Organized activities such as sports, music groups and chess club help your child feel like they belong and associate positive memories with school. This helps lower the risk of mental health concerns for your child and nurtures learning.
We’re Here to Help
Our expert care team is here to help your family grow and thrive in body, mind and spirit. If you need support in managing the stress, anxiety and fear of a new school year, click here to be equipped with the tools you need to support your little ones.
