This information was prepared by Kim McNamara, education director at Baird School.
The beginning of the school year can be an exciting and stressful time filled with adjustments, changes and a roller coaster of emotions. There are some things that we can do to help make the transition easier for all.
- Recognize and acknowledge that school has some natural transitions. Starting a new school year is one of them. A few weeks before school starts, mention this to your child in a way that feels natural to you. It can be a quick comment or statement that leaves the door open for your child to express what they are feeling.
- Sleep! A week before school starts, shift into the school bedtime and wake up routine. This will help to make the first day of school a lot easier.
- Normalize that it is ok to feel nervous before the first day of school. Remind your child that it is likely most of their peers are feeling the exact same way. We all feel some excitement or nervousness before something new.
- Encourage confidence and focus on the positives–yes, this time of year can be hard adjusting to new routines and classrooms or schools–children having confidence they can do this and their parents/caregivers believing in that can make a big difference. Focus on some positive elements of the school year–connecting with peers more, engaging in new learning, or extracurricular activities.
- Once school starts, establish who your “go to” person at the school will be for communication. Often it is the classroom teacher but could also be the guidance counselor, special education teacher, principal, or other school staff.
- After school routines. Some kids need some downtime right after school and some do better with structured activities and routines. Work together to figure out what will work best for your child and your family needs. Determining the best time to talk about the day and connect is recommended. There are a lot of resources out there for questions to ask kids to get them talking about school that go beyond the “how was your day?”
Finally, the parent/caregiver’s ability to stay calm, manage anxiety, and navigate the changes ahead will make a big difference as they are looking to us to guide them! Be sure to take care of your own needs too–that’s a great example to set for kids. We’ve got this!
Additional Resources:
PBS for Parents Back to School Information
A comprehensive resource offering information for parents across several topic areas to support their child’s success.
Resources for parents and caregivers addressing topics like routines, homework, and bedtime.
SAMHSA – Back to School and Mental Health
Supporting children for a successful year ahead.
Great questions beyond how was your day at school.
Kim McNamara has been in the education field as a school administrator, state level program manager, and special educator in Vermont, Alaska, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire over the last 20 years. Currently the Education Director at the Baird School, Howard Center, Kim is passionate about creating a welcoming and positive learning environment for all students. She is also a parent to two elementary age children.
