Back to school season is here! That means new clothes, new backpacks and new educators. But it can also mean a little bit of separation anxiety for kids. Here are a few tips to help your child get excited about going back to school:
Create a routine. Routines can help kids feel safe and secure, and they can also make the transition to school a little bit easier. Start by creating a bedtime routine and a morning routine that your child can follow. This will help them know what to expect and make them feel more in control.
Take a practice run. A few days before school starts, take your child to school and walk them through what their day will look like. This will help them get familiar with the school and the teachers, and it will also give them a chance to ask any questions they have.
Find a few familiar faces. If you can, try to connect with a few other families whose kids will be in your child’s class. Set up some playdates before school starts so your child can get to know some of their classmates. This will help them feel more comfortable at school when they start.
Talk to your child about their feelings. It’s important to let your child know that it’s okay to feel nervous about going back to school. Let them talk to you about their fears and concerns and reassure them that you’ll be there for them.
Be positive and encouraging. Talk to your child about all the fun things they’ll get to do at school, like learning new things, making new friends, and playing games. Help them focus on the positive aspects of school, and they’ll be more likely to feel excited about it.
Make a special goodbye ritual. Long, drawn-out goodbyes can make separation anxiety worse. Instead, create a short and sweet goodbye ritual that you can do with your child every morning. This could be something like giving them a hug and a kiss or telling them you’ll see them later.
Make it fun! Get your child excited about going back to school by doing some fun activities together, like shopping for new school supplies or packing their backpack. You can also read them some books about going to school or watch some movies about kids in school.
With a little bit of planning and effort, you can help your child have a smooth transition back to school and a great year!
