{"id":24211,"date":"2024-08-22T10:01:34","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T17:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/?p=24211"},"modified":"2024-08-22T10:04:47","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T17:04:47","slug":"planning-for-back-to-school-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/planning-for-back-to-school-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning for Back-to-School Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"
As the summer days wind down and the back-to-school season begins, a whirlwind of mixed emotions can be stirred up for kids and adults.\u00a0 The transition from a more relaxed summer routine to the structure of school can be challenging for anyone, but especially for those who thrive on consistency and clear expectations. While some kids may eagerly anticipate the return to routine, others might feel anxious about new schedules, unknown teachers, and even academic pressures. Whether you\u2019re gearing up for kindergarten or returning for fifth grade, there are a few things that adults can focus on to help make the back-to-school experience more peaceful for kids and grownups.<\/p>\n
\n
Connection<\/strong><\/li>\n
Activities that lower anxiety<\/strong><\/li>\n
Accept and name emotions<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/h3>\n
Connection <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Connection is at the heart of a successful back-to-school transition<\/strong>. Feeling supported and understood can ease anxiety and set a positive tone for the school year. Encourage honest conversations about the upcoming school year with open-ended questions: \u201c<\/strong>What are you most excited about?<\/em>\u201d<\/strong> and \u201c<\/strong>What are you worried about?<\/em>\u201d<\/strong> Listen actively without jumping to solutions. If you aren\u2019t sure how to respond during the conversation, remember that coregulation is NEVER the wrong answer.\u00a0 Warm, welcoming, nurturing interactions should not be a reward. They should be the rule.<\/p>\n
For some kids, questions can feel overwhelming, so I often wonder<\/strong> out loud instead of asking questions.\u00a0 Saying something like, \u201cSome kids feel excited about school and some kids feel nervous\u201d can allow a child to ponder the topic without feeling pressure to answer \u201cthe right way\u201d.<\/p>\n
Offer your own back-to-school experiences, both the good and the challenging.<\/strong> \u00a0Sharing stories from your childhood school days can help kids feel less alone and more understood. It\u2019s a great way to bridge generational gaps and build empathy. You can build the discussion into mealtimes or car rides and share stories about what you enjoyed about school and what was hard for you.\u00a0 Kids feel connected and will more easily share their feelings if they know it\u2019s okay to struggle a bit.\u00a0 These discussions can also give you a window into areas where you can focus support throughout the school year.<\/p>\n
Establishing consistent routines or rituals<\/strong> can deeply strengthen the sense of connection between kids and their grownups. Whether it\u2019s a special breakfast before the first day or a nightly check-in about the highs and lows of the day, these small acts of togetherness can make the transition feel more manageable.\u00a0 If you can add in some music or movement, you get bonus points for nervous system regulation too!<\/p>\n
Try using declarative language techniques.<\/strong>\u00a0 Declarative language involves making small changes in the way we communicate with others.\u00a0 Some kids (and adults) get overwhelmed when they are told to do something or are asked lots of questions.\u00a0 The pressure to answer or behave correctly feels high, so they may shut down emotionally or escalate behaviorally.\u00a0 Declarative language notices what works for an individual\u2019s nervous system and uses thinking out loud statements like, \u201cYou can walk to the car<\/em>,\u201d or \u201cI can tie your shoes<\/em>,\u201d or problem solves out loud like, \u201cI forgot my lunch yesterday so today I\u2019m going to put it next to the door<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n
Wonder statements work here as well. \u201cI wonder what would happen if we walked outside in the rain without shoes<\/em>,\u201d or \u201cI wonder which of us can get to the car first.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Phrasing things in this way helps reduce a child\u2019s need to dig their heels in and provides them with gentle guidance toward the task at hand.<\/p>\n
Describing your own feelings about a stressful situation can help put a name to a feeling and normalize the experience for kids.\u00a0 I will often say things like, \u201cWhen I go to new places, I get nervous.\u00a0 Lots of the people I know feel anxious sometimes.\u00a0 For some people, it can feel like butterflies in your tummy or like your heart is beating fast.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>By not directly asking the child if they feel anxious, I am leaving the door open for a shared experience without making them feel like they are being accused of feeling something.\u00a0 The Declarative Language Handbook<\/u><\/a> by Linda K. Murphy is a helpful guide to understanding more about why these little tweaks to our communication can be so powerful.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Back-to-School_1-300x300.png\")
As the summer days wind down and the back-to-school season begins, a whirlwind of mixed emotions can be stirred up for kids and adults.\u00a0 The transition from a more relaxed summer routine to the structure of school can be challenging for anyone, but especially for those who thrive on consistency and clear expectations. While some kids may eagerly anticipate the return to routine, others might feel anxious about new schedules, unknown teachers, and even academic pressures. Whether you\u2019re gearing up for kindergarten or returning for fifth grade, there are a few things that adults can focus on to help make the back-to-school experience more peaceful for kids and grownups.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/blog-photo-1-scaled-e1724271474335-300x270.jpg\")
Try using declarative language techniques.<\/strong>\u00a0 Declarative language involves making small changes in the way we communicate with others.\u00a0 Some kids (and adults) get overwhelmed when they are told to do something or are asked lots of questions.\u00a0 The pressure to answer or behave correctly feels high, so they may shut down emotionally or escalate behaviorally.\u00a0 Declarative language notices what works for an individual\u2019s nervous system and uses thinking out loud statements like, \u201cYou can walk to the car<\/em>,\u201d or \u201cI can tie your shoes<\/em>,\u201d or problem solves out loud like, \u201cI forgot my lunch yesterday so today I\u2019m going to put it next to the door<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Lunch-300x200.jpg\")
To create a social story for your child, start by identifying the specific situation or behavior that may be causing concern. If your kiddo is anxious about lunchtime, a social story might outline what lunchtime will look like, who will be present, and the steps involved in getting their lunch.\u00a0 Maybe help them imagine the best-case scenario and how they\u2019d handle that, and then look at the worst-case scenario and options for how to handle it.\u00a0 Discuss who can be a support or a comfort in that moment and space.\u00a0 Keep the language simple and the tone positive.\u00a0 Older kids can write it out and younger kids love to narrate while their grown up does the writing.\u00a0 Drawings or photos can enhance the story and make it more interesting and personalized for kids. The goal is to present the information in a way that is easy to understand and provides reassurance and choices.\u00a0 After it\u2019s done, review the story often to help the child incorporate the ideas for later use.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/emotions-300x200.jpg\")
Accept and Name Emotions<\/strong><\/h3>\n