A new school year is on the horizon and for a lot of kids the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and that new box of crayons is exciting and they’re practically counting down the hours until they’re reunited with their friends and meeting their new teacher. But for a lot of kids, even if they’re putting on a brave face, back-to-school anxiety has already started creeping in. This could mean that you’re noticing your kiddo is a little extra clingy and maybe a bit on edge, this can be hard on parents too because leaving a crying little isn’t fun for anyone. Eventually, these feelings pass, and behaviors cease, but in the meantime, here are a few tips for helping your anxious one successfully transition into a new year.
A couple of weeks before school starts, start mimicking the back-to-school routine the best that you can in little ways such as reinstating bedtime, waking up earlier in the morning, and picking out clothes for the next day the night before.
Talking about and validating your kiddo’s feelings can change the game. Psychologists suggest saying things like, “I know there are a lot of things you don’t know and it can be a scary time” or “I know it can be hard to leave home” then ending on a positive note such as, “I know you can do this and we’re going to figure out ways to help you together.”
Test runs can ease a multitude of anxieties. As adults, we feel more comfortable doing things we’ve practiced, and the same goes for kids. Driving to your kiddo’s school on the weekends and practicing pick-up and drop-off routines can make both of those transitions run a lot smoother, if you can, walking the halls of your kids’ school and/or attending any type of open house where you can scope out classrooms, the cafeteria, the library, etc will give everyone a chance to get comfortable.
Having an open line of communication with your kid’s teacher will help everyone. Technology makes communicating today easier than ever. If you know that the first week of school could be difficult for your little one, shoot the teacher an e-mail explaining this, how you’re working through the week, and how they can help.
If you have a sneaking suspicion that the problem is going to lie in the dropping-off portion of the day, consider reaching out to your child’s teacher and asking if a drop-off buddy could be arranged. This may be a friendly face from class, an aide, or another individual that can be there to greet your kiddo each morning.