Getting Your Kids Back To School After Covid
Covid-19 has created a disjointed academic, social and emotional year for all students. No matter what the academic model your student participated in, there is adjustment ahead in September. To help your kids adjust smoothly, consider the following tips:
Bring them to visit the school a few times in August
-play in the playground, for younger children this can help desensitize them to the environment before the first day.
-meet the teacher, for children of all ages meeting their counselor or teachers can assist in reducing stress and anxiety before a new school year begins.
-see where their locker is, often a locker is a cause of great stress. Seeing its location, practicing the combination, and knowing how big it is in advance can help reduce unnecessary stress.
-review their schedule with them, show them where their classroom is located.
Have them get together with school friends/classmates
-social skills refresher, most kids were slightly limited or very limited in their social interactions this past year. It would be very helpful if parents could start small, maybe with one friend and then increase it slowly to more during this month. As September arrives, paying attention to a steady increase in social interaction would assist with reducing social anxiety and increasing social skills. Joining activities and athletic teams would organically do this as well. If your child shows hesitance to becoming involved, consider consulting professional help.
Get your child/children on a good sleeping schedule three weeks before school starts
-go back to best practice bedtime routines and time schedules, one hour before they need to be asleep is a good time to shut down all electronics, shower or bath, and do mindfulness or reading. Sleeping is a key component to emotional regulation. Going back to school will require strong emotional regulation. Good sleep patterns will help assist this important need.
Practice good electronic habits starting three weeks before school starts
Most of us lighten up on the rules during the summer months as the days are longer and our children need to be occupied and entertained. The month before school begins is a great time to pull back and reset for the beginning of a new school year. Review what your children are doing on their electronics and set the school rules for time usage as well as what games and social media they are permitted to participate on.
Review concerns your child may have regarding returning to school in person full time
Talk to your child and ask them what are they excited about in returning to a new school year? What are they concerned or fearful about returning to a new school year? Gauge where they are at and track their growth socially, emotionally and academically. If any of these areas show concern, contact the school and or seek professional help outside school.
Shana Schwartz MSS LCSW www.shanaschwartz.com
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