Six Tips to Beat the Back to School Blues

It’s hard to believe that summer is already coming to an end! Heading back to school can be difficult for both children and parents. During the summer, we become accustomed to sleeping in and having fewer responsibilities so transitioning back into the school year can be quite a shock! There are new schedules to follow, new classes and teachers, and sometimes a whole new school.

Making a Smooth Transition

1. Have a conversation
   • Talk to your child about the upcoming school year and about things he/she is looking forward to as well as things he/she may be nervous about (assure him/her that other kids may be nervous too)
   • Inform your child about when school starts and what his/her schedule will look like
2. Establish routines
   • Set bedtime and wake-up times that will be similar to those during school (starting this routine now will help when school actually starts and there are more responsibilities, etc.)
3. Get organized for the school year
   • Set a schedule for homework, bath time, relaxation time, etc. so your child will know what to expect during the year
   • Make sure your child has all the school supplies he/she will need
   • Organize a tidy space for doing homework
   • Hang a family calendar in a common area where your child can see important upcoming events
4. Visit the school
   • Take your child to school to get to know the new building. This is especially important for first-time students who aren’t sure what to expect. (Many schools will have pre-school orientations for younger children to come and meet their teacher and see their classroom before school starts.)
   • Make sure your child knows where the bathroom is, how to get to the cafeteria, etc.
5. Practice going to/from school
   • Whether your child will be walking, taking a bus, or will be driven by you, practice the route he/she will take so he/she can feel more comfortable with the route. This will ease his/her anxiety about getting lost and about the surroundings.
6. Get a buddy
   • Have your child think of someone they feel close to at school who they could eat lunch with, go to recess with or confide in (setting up a buddy system may ease initial school anxiety)

Returning back to school can be stressful not only for children but also for parents. During this time, it’s important for parents to ask their children about their concerns and to reassure them that these worries are normal. Follow the tips above to help children (and parents!) ease back into the school year with as little stress as possible.

About the Author

Sara Bybee, LCSW

Sara graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University and moved to Salt Lake City in 2012. Since then, she has been working with Safe & Healthy Families and has been enjoying all that the Southwest has to offer. In her free time, she loves hiking, biking, running, taking her dogs to the park, speaking Spanish, learning about other cultures, cooking, and baking

http://primarychildrens.org

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