Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many incoming kindergarteners and 1st graders are going to be entering a school building for the first time this fall. The first day of school is a monumental day for any kid, but this year may be even more challenging due to heightened stress surrounding the return to in-person learning. As a parent, the idea of walking your child through this experience might feel daunting, but by following these tips, you can help your kids feel supported and loved. 

Communication Is Key

Your child is probably going to have a lot of questions, concerns, and maybe even fears about returning to school or going to school for the first time. Transitioning to spending weekdays out of the home and away from familiar surroundings can be scary, especially for kids who have spent a good portion of their lives at home due to the pandemic. 

The best thing you can do is listen to them and respond compassionately and confidently. Consider sharing positive stories about what school was like when you were their age, and answer their questions with facts and ideas they can understand. If they are worried about being without support, reassure them that their teachers are there to help them and make sure they are safe.

Recognize Signs of Stress

Nobody knows your child better than you do, which means the person who’s most likely to notice if they’re having a hard time starting school is you. Think about how your child normally acts when they’re stressed or upset, and look for those behaviors leading up to the first day of school and into the first few weeks. If you see and recognize those behaviors, check in with your child. 

Remember to be patient and allow them plenty of opportunities to express themselves, since it can be difficult to put stress and anxiety into words. In addition to helping your kiddo express themselves, try to give them healthy tools to cope, like counting to 10 in a moment of high anxiety, doing calming breathing exercises, or taking a little break to have a glass of water and some alone time. 

Get Into a Routine

Kids thrive on a routine, but school starting means a momentary disruption of the status quo. Before school starts, consider adjusting your schedule slightly to create a routine that can align with your child’s future school schedule. For example, wake up at the time your kid will need to be up for school, try eating breakfast efficiently and get dressed before the time they need to be ready in the morning. In the evenings, consider setting aside 10 or 15 minutes to do some reading together to mimic homework time, or ask them to help you organize their room or do some simple chore. To be sure they will be getting plenty of sleep, start adjusting their sleep schedule so they go to bed at an appropriate hour to wake up for school at least a month before school begins.

Practice Makes Perfect

One of the ways children build confidence is through experience. Find out if your child’s school will let you visit the campus before classes begin. If the school allows you to visit, go with your child to help them find their classroom, the lunchroom, the bathrooms, and where they’ll wait for you to pick them up after school. 

Some schools offer incoming students a chance to meet their teachers before the school year begins, so if your child’s school offers this be sure to take them up on it. Meeting your kiddo’s teachers with them will help them feel more comfortable, and seeing your comfort will boost their confidence for the first day. 

Be Optimistic

After more than a year of being extra cautious of safety and spending most of your time at home, it’s only natural that your kids might be feeling nervous about everything that is ahead. As their parents, you must be positive and remind your kids that being nervous isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Focus on the good things that school brings, like the opportunity to have new experiences and to make new friends. Young children look to their parents to model emotions, and if you can be positive, they will follow your lead. 

Once school starts, remember to continue to be optimistic even as struggles or problems arise. It’s normal not to love everything about school, but if you can help your kiddo to focus on the positive, you can help keep them feeling confident and excited to tackle new challenges. If you are struggling, feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing heightened anxiety regarding your child entering school for the first time, get support for yourself and your family from Whole Self Therapy. Our team of compassionate and experienced therapists can help you cope with your stress, and develop tools to help your kiddo cope with theirs.