07/29/2024
HELPFUL TIPS TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL
It is that time of the year again for parents and children to get back into the school fun routine. As parents, it is important to remember this is a fun (and sometimes stressful) time for all but helping to create an encouraging environment to support the transitions are essential. Here are a few tips to remember during this time:
1. Listening ears are just as important for parents to use as it is for kids. Listening to your child’s concerns and validating their emotions, allows kids to believe their feelings going back to school are normal.
2. Our kids are always watching! Pay attention to the way that you are modeling behaviors to your children. If we want them to communicate with us in effective ways, are we communicating with them in effective ways? A few questions to ask yourself are: If we want them to practice emotional regulation skills, are we emotionally regulated in our interactions with them? Use this as an opportunity to model the behaviors we want them to use in their life.
3. We, as parent, get to practice our helper skills as well! Helping your child establish a daily structured routine can create a sense of predictability that will alleviate any anxious feelings associated with the transition back to school.
4. Let us wear our encouragement pants often!! Encouraging open communication with your child to talk about their experiences at school will foster a willingness for children to trust they can talk to you about their day. Allow them to freely discuss friends, their beliefs, and challenges that they may be facing in their lives to name a few without judgement or critique.
5. Get ready for an important balancing act. A balanced nutrition improves children’s ability to focus, memory, brain function, behaviors, and moods to help them get through their longer days. There are many resources out there about healthy nutrition to learn and educate yourself for this school year.
6. Put on that safety and supportive hat you wear so well! Provide a safe and supportive environment for your child to express their emotions. Let them know that it is okay to feel scared, overwhelmed, and any other emotion they may feel (whether big or small. Offer and helpful tips or reassurances that you are there to support them through anything they face this school year.
7. We get to be teachers too! Help your child’s resilience by teaching them coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety. This could include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or positive self-talk to name a few. If we have an expectation that our children be able to emotionally regulate themselves, then parents must teach them how to do that.
8. Showing up is a must! Stay involved in your child’s education by attending parent-teacher conferences, staying informed about their academic progress, and advocating for their needs.
9. Get involved! Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities or hobbies that they enjoy. This can help boost their self-esteem and provide a sense of belonging outside the classroom. This can help them develop important social skills, independence, and problem-solving skills to navigate their world. (ALSO IS A PLUS TO DIMISH SCREEN TIME).
10. Most important, stay attuned! Seek support from a therapist or counselor if your child is struggling with stressors regarding their mental health. A professional can provide additional resources and strategies to help your child thrive academically and emotionally.
