3 Ways to Help Your Child Thrive in Going Back to School

Back to school tips – A guest insight from Crossroads Associate Psychologist Sophia Fajnerova.

Anyone with children knows that the end of summer can bring about many big emotions. For some children, there is much excitement over meeting new teachers and friends. For others, however, there can be more sadness or worry about the upcoming year. Regardless of whether the feelings are more positive or negative, back-to-school can be stressful for many children and families. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate this time more easily.

1. Reset sleep schedule. During the summer break, children’s schedules tend to be a bit more relaxed, with later bedtimes and more frequent sleeping in. To ease the transition, back to a school schedule, consider slowly shifting your child’s bedtime and wake up time by 5-10 minutes daily, starting a week or two before school begins, until you get them back on a healthy sleep routine.
2. Set up routines. Sit down with your child and establish what their daily routine will look like on a school day. What will they need to do to get ready in the mornings? Who is dropping them off and picking them up after school? What responsibilities will they have after school? Having well established and clear routines can create a sense of calm and help guide positive behavior.
   a. A checklist can help keep children on track as they move through their daily routine. Add the things you would like your child to complete, such as making their bed or brushing their teeth, to give a visual reminder.
   b. The best way to gain mastery over any skill is through practice. Consider role playing new routines with your child in advance of the first day of school. This allows them to try things out, ask questions and iron out any problems that may arise in advance.
   c. Even with the best preparation, the first few school mornings can be difficult. Allow extra time during those first few mornings to ensure that your child has enough time to get up, get dressed, eat, and leave the house without unnecessary rush. Picking out clothes to wear and packing their backpack the night before are both good time savers and can make for a more relaxed morning.
3. Plan a reward. Because the back-to-school transition can be challenging, think about setting up something for your child to look forward to after school. Whether it be their favorite snack, an activity they enjoy, or simply some extra time with you, this type of a “reward” can help them manage their emotions throughout the school day. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer and have a great start to the new school year.

Implement these back to school tips to help your children with their (and your) back to school transition.

Sophia Fajnerova, Crossroads Associate, is a registered psychologist. She specializing in children, adolescents & adults including psychoeducational assessments. Please contact us to set up an appointment with Sophia or any of Crossroads therapists.