08/10/2021
: I don’t know about you, but I can’t ever seem to shake the “back-to-school” jitters no matter what! 🤷🏻♀️And more often than not, we’re more nervous than the kids. 😣I’ve received many questions from families on how to alleviate the stressors associated with the “back-to-school” jitters, so I decided to compile a list of what tools you can use to help do just that:
✏️Ask Questions: Talk to your child’s school & ask all of your questions to help prepare for what to expect on the first day. For example- “Can I walk my child to their classroom in the morning?” Review any information that the school has sent about changes to the school routine & use it to answer your child’s questions. If anything is unclear, or you or your child still have questions - talk to your child’s teacher or the school.
✏️Open Communication: Communicate with your child about going back to school.Help your child to identify any questions, feelings or worries they have.Reassure them that they are safe, stay positive & have ongoing communication with your child. If talking isn’t your child’s main way of communicating, you could text, email, write them a letter, draw or use art to start a conversation.
✏️Routines: Provide clear information about any new routines/changes at school such as their schedule, bell times, new teachers, drop-off/pick-up times, etc. Prepare them by describing how their routine may change & what the new routine may look like. Try breaking down the new routine into small steps so your child has time to process the changes. For example, if pick-up time or location has changed, write down or mark on a map/picture where you will pick them up, where to wait, the time you will pick them up, & what to do if something changes. Prepare them for the unexpected. 👍🏽
✏️Schedules: Written or visual schedules can help to make new routines clear for:
• “Table time"/Instruction time, break times, & new hygiene practices such as hand washing or toileting.
• New morning & after school routines.
• Try creating the schedule with your child by writing down the steps and/or drawing a picture for each step. Your child could keep the schedule in their pocket, school bag or lunch box to use at school.
✏️Supports- What supports will help your child? Talk about supports with your child & the school.
• Which staff member can they go to for help in the class or play times?
• What supports are available for sensory breaks, quiet spaces, “cool down zone”, or movement breaks? Talk about how your child can let their teacher know that they need a break, and let the teacher know what this request may look like.
✏️A transition plan: A Parent/Team meeting can be a great way to talk about this information & put it in a written transition plan for your child. A transition plan may include all supports, all adjustments, & any adjusted school hours. It may also include information on how to support your child if they become overwhelmed or anxious.The plan should state clearly what each person will/should do.
✏️ Practice, Practice, Practice!
To support your child getting used to the idea of going to school again, try:
• Visiting the school with your child whether you drive by routinely or can walk some portion of the campus to gain familiarity with your child
• Call the school & ask if you & your child can visit the school
before school starts & meet your child’s teacher(s).
• Set their school wake up alarm & let your child practice getting up & dressed in their school attire. This is also a great routine to practice within their ABA Therapy while you have the support with you 👍🏽
• Ask your child to check their school bag before school starts to ensure they have everything they need - text books, pencils, lunch, etc.
And parents- don’t forget to breathe, take it one day or one routine at a time, and give yourself some grace in applying these tools. It takes a lot of patience and practice for it not to feel like such hard work, but I promise it’ll get easier the more you try! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽