- With 12 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, I have valuable insights to help families navigate the first few months of school.
- Parents can involve their children in creating a daily routine for school, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment.
- Amid the busyness of back-to-school, it’s crucial for parents to schedule downtime for kids to relax and decompress.
- This article is part of our “Back to School: Parent Prep” series, featuring expert advice for a successful academic year.
The first months of school require adjustment for families as they transition from summer vacation to a structured schedule. Drawing on my 12 years as an elementary school teacher, I offer advice to help your family navigate this period smoothly.
Get your child involved in establishing school routines
Children enjoy having a say in rule-making and routine planning. When they take ownership of their routines, they are more likely to stick to them.
At home, you can involve your children in creating a before-school routine using a dry-erase board or paper. List activities like getting dressed, eating breakfast, and brushing teeth, and ask your children to determine the order. These discussions encourage reflection and optimization of their routines. Displaying the routines in a central location at home serves as a reminder for everyone. Periodically review and make improvements together, allowing your kids to suggest changes as well.
Use growth-mindset language
The words children use to talk to themselves impact their mindset and approach to challenges. Teaching them to reframe their frustration helps them approach new activities with intention and enthusiasm.
Psychologist Carol Dweck’s studies on mindset reveal that a fixed mindset considers abilities as innate, while a growth mindset views them as the result of ongoing practice and effort.
In my classroom, I utilize a poster to help students reframe their self-talk. Instead of saying “This is too hard,” they are encouraged to say “I can do hard things.” Gradually, students internalize this language and support one another. Parents can cultivate a growth mindset at home by reframing fixed-mindset language, sharing stories of overcoming challenges, and providing opportunities for problem-solving.
Incorporate self-help skills into daily activities
Self-help skills promote children’s physical and emotional development, enhancing their confidence, independence, and perseverance.
Parents can support the development of these skills by creating routine opportunities for children to engage in tasks like getting dressed, following directions, tying shoes, or packing their own backpacks. These activities strengthen motor skills and help children build resilience when facing challenges.
Provide children with hard copies of their after-school schedules
Returning to school involves adjusting to new schedules, which can be overwhelming for children and parents. Visual schedules empower children to take control of their time.
Children respond well to habits and routines. For younger students, a visual schedule can take the form of a sticker chart with the days of the week. Bus days can have bus stickers, piano days can have musical stickers, and so on. Such schedules increase children’s comfort and confidence as they know what comes next. Over time, children can use their schedules for time management, even working ahead on assignments. This usage promotes effective time management skills.
Prioritize intentional downtime
The first months of school can be exhausting for both kids and parents due to various commitments. While activities are important, it’s essential to schedule regular downtime at home.
Include dedicated time each week for low-key activities that help everyone unwind and recharge. Monitor your children’s moods and recognize when additional downtime is necessary. Consistent moodiness, frustration, and tiredness indicate that a break is needed.
Redefine goodbyes
Instead of focusing on goodbyes when dropping off your child, emphasize the excitement of the day and look forward to their stories at the end of the day. This positive perspective helps ease your child’s transition into the new school year.
If your child experiences separation anxiety for more than a few weeks, communicate with their teacher about strategies to make the transition smoother.
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