Whether it’s your child’s first day of kindergarten or the start of middle school, back-to-school season can bring a range of feelings for the entire family. This year may be more emotional as many families spent a large part of the past two school years at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s important to remember that even in the best of times, it’s normal for children to express feelings of sadness, isolation, or stress,” said Tyreca Elliott, from KinderCare Learning Centers. “Learning how to address those feelings helps us build self-confidence, resilience, and independence. Offering comfort, reassurance, and assisting with problem-solving will help children learn and grow from stress in a positive way.”
Consider these tips to help your children manage emotions during the transition back to school.
1. PLAN AHEAD: The fear of the unknown can be stressful. Children who aren’t able to clearly articulate their feelings likely won’t be able to make the connection between new, uncertain situations and their feelings. Instead, they may become overwhelmed by emotions, which might look like more meltdowns, clinginess, or a variety of other behaviors. Talk with your children about how they feel about going back to school ahead of the first day of class. Ask questions to help them determine why they feel particular feelings when they think about school then work together to solve potential issues. That could mean finding a way to meet your children’s teachers ahead of time, whether virtually or in-person or practicing introducing themselves to classmates.
2. BUILD A CONSISTENT ROUTINE: Routines can give children (and adults) a sense of security and structure, which in turn make it easier to cope with big emotions like stress and anxiety. Try to stay consistent, and if you need to make adjustments, talk them through with your children. Make sure your children have opportunities to ask questions about any changes to routines. They may need reassurance before they’re ready to face something new.
3. CREATE SPECIAL FAMILY MOMENTS: As important as routine is, it’s just as important to prioritize quality time together. That could mean something as simple as Saturday bike rides or Sunday morning pancakes. Plan a family outing or special time together to celebrate completing the first week of school. Family rituals and celebrations can give children and adults something to look forward to.