School started for some as early as the beginning of August while others do not go back until after Labor Day in September.
This means the unofficial end to summer and all its fun. For some kids nervousness, anxiety, and outright fear can set in when back to school time approaches.
This is especially true for those starting a new school, moving up to a new level (say from elementary school to middle school) or starting school altogether in preschool or kindergarten.
There are always those kids who are just plain excited to start school and become social butterflies, adapting immediately to the new surroundings.
But perhaps the larger number of students are more trepidatious about entering school. They may be dealing with separation anxiety from their parents or caregivers or a host of other fears.
Calming those anxious feelings is not an easy task and it is not something that should be taken lightly. The fears are real to the child and need to be addressed head on.
But going back to school or starting school for the first time does not have to be a stressful, anxious time. There are some great ways to ease the transition and make the child feel more comfortable before the first bell rings.
Being organized is a promising way to start the year and can help everyone get off to a positive start. When back to school time comes, absolutely everything needs to be organized.
From establishing the new morning routine, to obtaining the correct school supplies, to laying out the first school clothes, a lot of things can be done ahead of time. Getting organized and having a routine down can make everyone less stressed and create an environment for success right from the start.
Parents should also not overlook the value for the child of being in the new environment before the actual school day starts.
Meeting teachers, attending open houses, and even reaching out to the child’s future classmates can go along ways toward helping that child feel comfortable once school starts.
They can start wrapping their heads around this big change and see that perhaps it is not as scary as they thought.
Children are adaptable and with a little love and a bit of time, most of them will start feeling at home in their new school.
However, parents need to stay in constant communication with their child’s teacher and look for social, physical, and emotional cues of the anxieties not going away within a few weeks.
Guidance counselors or other professionals may then need to be called in to further help that child integrate successfully into his/her school.
Sources:
SWRNN.com. Web. Published 13 August 2012. “First day jitters get kids ready to go back to school.”
http://www.swrnn.com/2012/08/13/first-day-jitters-get-kids-ready-to-go-back-to-school
Parents.com. Web. 13 August 2012. “Overcoming separation anxiety.”
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/starting-preschool/separation-anxiety/overcoming-separation-anxiety
Reviewed August 14, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith