As the back-to-school season approaches, many parents and children experience a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether your child is starting school for the first time or returning after a fun-filled summer break, it's essential to prepare them both emotionally and practically for the new school year to come!
From creating positive anticipation to addressing anxieties, there are many ways to make this transition smoother for everyone involved. We recently had the opportunity to chat with second-grade teacher, mother of two, and popular educational content creator Paige Eppich for her advice!
How can parents create excitement and positive anticipation for the upcoming school year?
When prepping for back to school, it's important to include your child in the preparation. For example, as the back-to-school season approaches, take your child to the playground at the school, or include your child in back-to-school shopping! I am a firm believer in really engaging with your child through the process.
My son, who is heading into Pre-K, thrives off of being a part of the process. I have learned when I include him in the big transition, the excitement really builds. A new school year can be really scary for some children, and change can be scary - even we as adults feel this way! Talk to. your child about the new school year and have them get excited for the change that is coming. The more prepared your child will feel, the more positive the experience they will have with the new school year.
What are some tips for parents to help their kids transition smoothly from the carefree days of summer to the structured school routine?
When prepping your child to go back to school, it is important to get them into a routine before school starts. With my own children, a couple of weeks before school starts, I like to start getting them into the school time routine. For example, I like to start getting their bedtime and wake up time down, and set into motion the real feel of what the back-to-school season will be like.
Another important component to consider is lunch time! Start letting your child practice eating from their lunch box so that this transition is seamless, too. We know change is hard, so my best advice is to always be ahead of the game and make your child feel as well prepared for back-to-school as possible!
How can parents address and alleviate any anxiety their children might feel about returning to school?
As a parent, acknowledging the stress and anxiety is always the first stress. As a teacher, I even feel that way when I start to prepare myself for a new school year!
Back-to-school emotions and anxieties are completely normal, and letting your child know that these feelings are valid and natural is the first step in the right direction.
I love to connect with my own children and my students through children's literature. There are a lot of high quality pieces that you can read to your child before school starts to help them know that those butterflies are definitely fluttering in everyone's tummies! Being able to read to your child, connect to the text, and then relate to themselves is so helpful during this time.
LS Tip: Here are a few books we recommend!
"The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn: This heartwarming story reassures children about starting school and offers a sweet ritual to help them feel connected to their parents.
"First Day Jitters" by Julie Danneberg: A relatable and humorous book that shows children they are not alone in their first-day-of-school nervousness.
"School's First Day of School" by Adam Rex: A unique perspective on the first day of school from the viewpoint of the school itself, making it a fun and engaging read for kids.
What strategies can parents use to make the first day of school special for their kids?
As a teacher, I know how crazy the first day of school can be for families. Below, I'll share a few of the things I do on the first day of school that makes the day memorable for my family.
Make a special breakfast: This can be as simple or as extravagant as you want it to be! Put some back-to-school themed decorations up the night before and have your child wake up to the fun! This will start their day with a smile and help with those first day jitters!
Write a special note: If you pack your child's lunch, leave them a little note to find during their lunch period. If your child doesn't pack a lunch, put a note in their folder or in their backpack for them to find! I have seen my students find these notes and they are truly a highlight of their day.
Take pictures: Okay... let's be real. Is this for them, or for you?! The traditional first and last day of school pictures are musts, but, try to make them fun for your child. Take a family picture, too, if everyone can be there in the morning. If not, make it happen after school! These are such important moments in time that need to be captured.
How can parents support their children in setting and achieving goals for the new school year?
Depending on the age, this will look different. I have two little children, an almost-five year old and a two year old, and with my five year old we set mini-goals in our home. One of the summer goals we had was reading books. This was a library challenge that we took part in and it was so fun! Goal-setting for your child doesn't have to be challenges that are excessive and over the top. It can be as simple as helping load the dishwasher or making their bed every morning.
Make small tasks for your child during the school year. You can create a mini chart that they can engage with and put stickers on when the task is complete. This will not only show them the importance in setting goals, but also show them the reward. At the end of the month, you could do an ice cream date or a movie night in your matching PJs as a family as their reward. This shows that achieving goals is rewarding and instills those values into your child. This also brings back the family component during the school year, and also starts to pass on responsibilities to your child in a healthy way.
LS Tip: For more on goal-setting, check out this past Q&A on cultivating a growth-oriented environment at home!
What are some effective ways to establish a daily routine that balances homework, extracurricular activities, and downtime?
Phew, this is a tough one! Time management is something we all have to learn, and it definitely comes in phases. I think that the first step in dong this is to design a schedule that will work for your family. Much like a bedtime routine, having an after-school routine will help the entire family. Kids, and adults, thrive on schedules. However - we still need to allow ourselves grace. Here are some practical tips I would suggest to families when building this routine!
Prioritize and plan: Encourage your child to prioritize their tasks and activities based on deadlines and importance. Help them create a daily or weekly schedule that allocates time for homework, extracurricular activities, and downtime.
Set realistic goals: Work with them to set realistic and achievable goals for each day or week. This will help them stay focused and motivated to follow their routine.
Stay flexible: Remind yourself and your child that it's important to be flexible with their routine and make adjustments when needed. Life is unpredictable, and it's okay to change plans when necessary.
Seek support: Do not be afraid to ask for help! If you have multiple children that have to be at different places, ask other families to carpool or help out with the tasks at hand.
At the end of the day, something I tell families is that you still need to let your kid be a kid. Let them play outside after school and enjoy themselves. There is a time and place for everything, but your child only has one childhood so be sure to still have fun! They need you most during the school season!
How can parents effectively communicate with teachers to ensure their child's success in the new school year?
Being a parent and a teacher, I am so thankful I can see both sides of how important that effective communication is for your child in the classroom! My first piece of advice is to communicate with your child's teacher, from day one. If your child is having a rough day, let them know. If there is something that is changing in your family, like moving houses or you're introducing a new baby to the family, it's important to keep your child's teacher in the loop.
You don't have to tell them everything, but i promise you, as teachers, we want to support your child in every way we can. From a teacher's perspective, I can truly say it takes a village. Allow an open line of communication in which you can work together.
What role can parents play in encouraging a love for learning as children transition back to school?
Be a part of your child's everyday life. Make it known that you want to hear about their day! Bring a positive attitude to school, homework, and even the chaos! I know some days are SO hard, but our outlook as parents changes the mood.
The back-to-school season is a big transition; it adds a new component of "the unknown" into your kiddo's life. Demonstrating to your child that you're excited and that you care about what they are doing and learning, shows them the importance of their life and what they are doing and learning.
Do you have any tips of your own for navigating the back-to-school transition with your little ones? Drop them in the comments below!
