Preparing for a New School Year

Believe it or not, we are officially in back to school season already! You’ve probably noticed the jam-packed aisles of colorful school supplies popping up at your favorite store. Schools and teachers are busy planning for the official start of the school year. And parents are likely ready to welcome the routine that school brings as the kids soak up the last bit of their carefree days.

New Classroom Transitions 

As the new season of learning begins, children will probably be making a classroom move due to their age or skill level. This can be a little overwhelming for both you and your child, no matter what grade they’re in. Thinking ahead and being prepared can help make the transition a little easier at every age. Keep these things in mind:

• Introduce yourself to the new teachers and share a bit about your child’s personality, interests, and needs.
• Ask what classroom changes will look like regarding routines, expectations, and daily schedules. What might be the same? What will be different?
• Find out how teachers support children during transitions and what strategies they use to help each child feel secure. Talk about the exciting parts of the change to make your child feel more comfortable, including new friends, toys, books, and classroom jobs.
• Ask about any planned welcome activities for the first week that you can discuss at home to build excitement.
• Touch base with teachers after the first day to learn how your child adjusted and how you can support them at home.

Reducing Separation Anxiety

Change often reveals some natural anxiety tied to the uncertainty about how it will feel. Each child handles this differently, but we want to reassure you—it’s perfectly normal! Typically, separation anxiety only lasts a few weeks and is often harder on the parents than the child.

While it’s hard to walk away from your child when they’re upset, please don’t worry. After a few minutes of comfort from a teacher, children usually move on to playing and having fun. Here are a few things to remember:

• Say goodbye rather than sneaking out to build trust and confidence in your child.
• Keep goodbyes short and positive. Lingering often makes the transition harder.
• Create a consistent goodbye routine (like a hug, high five, and “see you after snack”) to provide comfort to your child through repetition.
• Send a familiar item from home to give your child added peace of mind, such as a small stuffed animal, family photo, or favorite book.
• Practice short separations before school starts. Drop them off with a trusted friend or family member to run a few errands so they get used to how it feels.

When to Seek Extra Support

If your child struggles for more than a few weeks, speak with teachers or your pediatrician to explore additional strategies for support.

Remember: Your school leaders and teachers are there to help you through the process. Be sure to talk with them about any questions you might have or additional guidance they can provide.

Let’s all work together to make it a great school year!