Dear Teacher: Preparing Your Children for a Great Return to School

Summer has wound down, and it’s back-to-school time. Preparing for the first days of the new school year will yield benefits to both you and your children. Start working on this at least a couple of weeks before school resumes, whether your children are just starting school, going to a new school, or returning to the same school.

Tips to Reduce Anxiety

It’s perfectly normal for both children and parents to experience some anxiety before the start of a new or first school year. After all, what the new school year will be like is unknown. Don’t borrow trouble by anticipating what could go wrong. And, be sure not to voice your concerns to your children which could add to any anxiety they may have.

Instead, discuss any worries you may have with other adults. You certainly can talk to your children about what excites them and what worries them about the school year while expressing empathy and encouragement.

All children are likely to have some anxiety about facing new teachers and classmates. The best antidote to this is preparation, which will make the first days of school much easier.

Here are some things you need to do:

Make sure your children are familiar with the environment of any new school, whether they are entering preschool, elementary, or middle school. Quite often, it is possible for children to visit schools and see where their classrooms, library, gym, or lockers will be. This is most important for young children.
Perhaps the easiest way to reduce any anxiety your children may have is to help them reconnect with friends. Having a buddy to talk over the upcoming year and even going to school together the first day can be extremely helpful.
Make sure plans are in place for how your children will get to school and where they will be after school, and that your children know what these plans are. Also, have contingent plans if after-school plans cannot be followed on a given day.

Preparation is Key

Preparing your children for the new school year is essential – not optional. It will let them be relaxed and confident during the first days of the new school year.

Do your children need new backpacks?
If the school has sent a list of supplies, get them.
Do new shoes, clothes, athletic equipment, or music equipment need to be purchased or rented?

Establish a School Routine

Ah, those lazy days of summer are about to disappear. No more staying or getting up late. No more hours and hours on electronic devices, playing games, or seeing what friends are doing on Instagram. The transition to school should not be abrupt. School routines should be eased into at least several days before the first day. Routines should include:

While your children will not be enthusiastic about starting a “waking up” or “sleeping” schedule a few days before school starts, it will pay dividends in making their first days easier.
Do a dry run for arriving at school, whether they will walk, bus, or you will drop them off.

Checklist of Other Things to Do

Review how the children will handle homework – times, places, and rules. (A contract can help.)
Establish the number of activities your children will pursue. Have a realistic cap on the number.
Organize a routine that gets the children out the door promptly and without too many reminders.
Discuss with the school nurse or administration any medical conditions or allergies they should know about.
Read the school handbook if you have been given one so you are aware of attendance, dress, COVID, and behavior policies.
Think long and hard about the need to establish any rules about the time spent on electronic devices.
Discuss with your children whether they will be buying or taking lunch.
The older your children are, the more they should be involved in establishing the routines that work for them.

One Caution

Here’s one more thing to think about. If you plan to put cute pictures of your children’s first day at school on social media, be sure to limit the information: no full names, school or teacher names, or pictures that include your address. Remember, there is no limit to the number of people that will see your posts.

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com. To learn more about helping children succeed in school, visit the Dear Teacher website.