HOW TO CREATE AN EASIER TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL

                                                                                                                               

                

It’s that time of year again…                          

HOW TO CREATE AN EASIER TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL

1.       

      One or two weeks before school begins return to your evening and morning routines.This will better prepare your child for their first day when they have to wake earlier.

2.     

      Back to School Shopping. Engage your child in back to school shopping for supplies, a backpack, or their first day outfit. By including them in supply shopping you can help excite them for the beginning of the year.

3.      

      If your child is nervous set up a preschool meeting with school staff and if possible their teacher.

4.    

      Meet with any school staff necessary prior to school such as school nurse or social worker if your child has any medical concerns.

5.     

      If it’s your child’s first year, your child is nervous, or you just want to get back into the routine practice a few days before preparing for school. For example, wake up at your normal school day time, have breakfast, even pick up the backpack and drive to school. Instead of going to class perhaps walk through the school and spend some time playing on the playground or have a picnic.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Tragedy in the News

1. Explore your child's thoughts. If they ask a question inquire further. Find out what they know and how they feel about it - don't assume. Kids talk and have great imaginations - check in with what they know.

2. Validate your child's feelings with statements such as, " It was a scary event." Statements such as "Don't worry about it, you don't need to feel scared, or "get over it" are not helpful.
 
3. The news can make events that are uncommon feel as though they happen everyday everywhere affecting a child's sense of safety. Talk to your child about the news, how they focus on such events, and remind your child such disasters are not as common as the news may make it sound.
 
4. Get concrete. Talk numbers. For example, how many people go to the movies everyday, how many movie theaters there are in the world, how many times your child has been to the movies and has been safe, how many times you have been to the movies and have been safe. Remind your child they are safe and why.
 
5. Keep explanations simple and age appropriate. For children under the age of seven - shield their exposure to the news.
 
6. Check in with your teens. With technology today it is quit likely they have been exposed to information regarding the disaster. Talk to them.
 
7. Invite your child to get involved in a volunteer project to help others. This is a great tool in helping deal with disasters.

Communication Mailbox: How to Help Your Child With Separation Anxiety from Mom or Dad

The Communication Mailbox

      Does your child have difficulty separating when you leave home? Does your job keep you away during the day, night, or for days at a time? Try our tool, “The Communication Mailbox.” The mailbox system allows your child to feel connected when you are away and aid in reducing their separation anxiety. Families have successfully used this technique when Dad was away on a business trip, Mom works the night shift, when a parent was in the hospital, and when Mom and Dad left for a day of R&R. Several schools and daycare facilities have utilized the Mailbox as a support for a child transitioning into school.

How to Make a Communication Mailbox:

     Create a mailbox by decorating a box with your child. A shoe box or wooden craft box from an art store such as Michael’s will work well. Grab stickers, glue, crayons, and markers and enjoy being creative with your child.

How to Use:

      Before you leave the house place a note or picture in the mailbox. Once you have left, your child can receive your note and leave you letters, drawings, or pictures. When you get home replace with another note for your child. This will help your child feel connected and reduce their anxiety triggered by separation. 
     You can also alter the technique to a digital mailbox - leaving photos and notes for your older children.

Share with us your experiences with your Communication Mailbox!