Tips and Tricks to Prepare for Back to School: Expert Advice from Eva Moskowitz
The end of summer marks the beginning of a new school year for millions of children. While it can be an exciting time, it can also bring about feelings of anxiety, especially in light of the COVID pandemic. To help alleviate these back-to-school jitters and ensure your children are well-prepared for the classrooms, Success Academy’s Founder & CEO, Eva Moskowitz, shares her insights on how to make the transition smoother.
One of the main causes of back-to-school anxiety, as explained by parenting and lifestyle expert Hannah Keeley, is the fear of the unknown. To combat this, Keeley suggests providing children with solid evidence to help them settle into the new environment. This can be done by scheduling an orientation or visiting the school, arranging playdates with other students in the same class, or simply introducing them to their classmates.
Separation anxiety is another common trigger for back-to-school anxiety, affecting children of all ages. Keeley recommends spending special time together before school starts and throughout the year to help children feel secure in their relationship with their parents.
The fear of exclusion is also a significant source of stress for many kids. Keeley advises parents to help their children curate their image by getting them items that make them feel more confident, such as a specific backpack, a certain pair of shoes, or even a fresh haircut. Building up their self-image and reinforcing their confidence will go a long way in alleviating their fears.
To further ease and prevent back-to-school anxiety, Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and medical advisor, offers five actionable tips:
1. Set expectations: Involve the entire family in preparing for the school start date. Create visual reminders on calendars to gradually expose kids to the upcoming date, providing a sense of familiarity and reducing fight-or-flight signals triggered by the unknown.
2. Stick to a routine: Establish consistent wake-up and bedtime schedules, maintaining a similar daily structure for the first few weeks of school. Set specific times for breakfast, commuting, homework, decompression, and preparing for the next day.
3. Get on their level with soothing sensory play: Engage in activities that help kids open up and express their thoughts and feelings. Sensory activities, like playing with slime, can relax the fight-or-flight response and promote conversation between parents and children.
4. Have them write in a ‘worry’ journal: Utilize the technique of cognitive behavioral therapy by having children write down their top three worries and then counter them with evidence to debunk those worries. Encourage gratitude by writing down three things they’re grateful for.
5. Take care of yourself: Children often mirror their parents’ reactions and responses to stress. It’s important for parents to practice self-care and seek support from professionals, whether it’s therapy, faith leaders, personal trainers, or physicians, to effectively manage their own anxiety.
By following these expert tips and tricks, parents can empower their children to overcome back-to-school anxiety and thrive in the classroom. Remember to create a supportive and nurturing environment for your child’s emotional well-being.
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