Back to School: Ways to Help Kids and Teens Prepare for a New School Year
As the summer comes to a close, it’s time to trade out those swimming suits for school uniforms and backpacks—and that’s the easy part. Going back to school can come with a lot of challenges, but there are things that you can do as a parent to make this transition a smoother one. Whether you are the parent of children or teens, taking these steps can go a long way toward starting the new school year off on the right foot.
Develop a Back to School Schedule
If you’re like many families, you don’t keep the same schedule during the summer as you do during the school year. This might mean that your kids stay up a little longer and get up a little later. Getting back into the swing of things can be difficult, especially if done abruptly. Instead, try to establish a school-time sleep schedule one to two weeks before the first day of school.
Make Getting Organized Fun
When buying school supplies, help your child or teen create an organization strategy that makes it easier to keep up with their assignments. Better yet, make this a fun experience by letting them choose their folders, binders, pencils and pencil cases, and so on. Getting them involved in the back-to-school shopping gives them some measure of control over the situation, and it can help them to feel excited about starting a new school year.
Establish a Back to School Plan for Success
If your child is in First Grade or above, then take some time to think about some goals to set for the upcoming school year. Have a talk about things that they liked about school the year before, and things that they didn’t like or found challenging. Include the academic and social demands of being in school, then work on some simple actions that your child or teen can take to make the most of the new year.
If your child is starting school for the first time, encourage your child to talk to you about their feelings on the matter. Are they excited, nervous, or both? Answer their questions reassuringly, and have some small goals in mind like making a new friend or behaving well and earning a prize. There are also some fun books about the first day of school that your preschooler or kindergartener might enjoy reading with you.
Become Familiar with the School
If your child or teen is starting a new school this year, take some extra time getting to know the place. It can be very stressful for children and teens when they don’t know how to get around, especially if they are going to be moving between multiple classes each day. Get a copy of their schedule and do a careful walk-through, and also pay attention to key areas like the cafeteria, office, and bathrooms.
Get Acquainted with The Teacher
During the next several months, you will have to entrust the care and education of your child or teen to their teacher or teachers, and there’s going to be a lot of back-and-forth between yourself and them. Go ahead and establish a relationship with their teachers, letting them know that you are here to help in any way that you can. When the parent and teachers work together, the child or teen will have a more beneficial experience.
While you’re at it, introduce your child or teen to their new teachers as well, and don’t hesitate to have a quick chat about the goals that you set together for the new year.
Encourage Healthy Peer Relationships
It’s no secret that the social lives of school-aged children and teens can be challenging for them to navigate. Encourage your child or teen to have an open discussion about things like making new friends, handling peer pressure, and bullying. Talk about treating others with the same kindness that they would want others to show them. If they are worried about making friends, tell them to be themselves and trust that the right friends will come along.
Talk About Your Back to School Plan With Christian Therapists in Raleigh
Starting a new school year can come with mixed emotions, and depending on the child or teen, a lot of stress can be involved. If your child or teen could use some help with organizational and study skills, social skills, or just wants someone outside the home to talk to, consider Christian counseling in Raleigh. Christian counselors can provide you and your children with practical, faith-based resources to make the upcoming school year a successful one!
Interested in Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC?
If you’re looking for “Christian counseling near me” that can help you and your children or teens manage the challenges of going back to school, then Sojourner Counseling can help. We provide Christian counseling in Raleigh for children and teens who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, and more. Reach out to us anytime to learn more about how we can partner with you to give your child or teen the tools needed for a positive back-to-school experience.