Starting a new school year can be super exciting. It can also be stressful, both for your child and you. A new routine to figure out all over again can bring along big emotions too. The following are some ways you can ease back into a new school year but manage the stressors!

Meet the New Teacher

One of the biggest fears many young children have is will they like and feel comfortable with their new teacher. To address this fear, be sure to take advantage of the school’s open house so your child can see exactly where their new classroom is and who their teacher will be. Encourage your child to ask questions and really feel out the space, both literally and figuratively. Take time with your child before to brainstorm questions they want to know about their teacher and the classroom.

Find a Familiar Face or Two

Having a familiar, friendly face in the classroom will help put your child at ease. Consider calling parents from last year’s class to find out which kids may be in your child’s class this year. You can help your child reconnect by scheduling a play date before the new year begins. No old friends in the classroom? Try not to stress, this experience will show your child a new strength they might not have known they had before and as caregivers we can support them through making new friends.

Get on a Schedule

Children thrive with a solid routine. They also tend to feel less stress when they know their day’s schedule ahead of time. Consider getting some dry erase boards and colorful dry erase board markers to write down the following day’s schedule each night. Let them pick out the marker colors or type of board so that they feel involved in the process with age appropriate control. Knowing which classes and after school activities they have will help your child prepare mentally and you prepare logistically.

Limit Those Extra Curricular Activities

A lot of school-year stress, both for kids and parents, has to do with the number of extra-curricular activities children are involved with these days. When selecting a sport or activity, be sure that you understand the requirements each week and have a plan for how this can impact your child’s schoolwork and sleep routine. Think about distances and see if there is a convenient time or location if you have multiple children in activities. Our office offers multiple appointment times with different clinicians allowing for easier time use. Your child can work with their therapist on Play Therapy, while you work on Anxiety Counseling!

Consider following these guidelines so you and your child can have a productive and stress-free school year! If you feel like you or your child could use some extra support this school year, please reach out to us today to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation. You can also complete a contact through our website via email.

https://stressfreekids.com/24727/stress-back-to-school/

https://www.verywellfamily.com/tips-to-ease-back-to-school-anxiety-620832

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/back-to-school-tips-for-parents