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Can you believe it is that time again. It seems like
yesterday the summer began, and now it is time to purchase supplies and
head back-to-school. But, as the children prepare to hit the books, how
should parents, "focus on the positive," while preparing their children
to go back-to-school?
"Children often experience mixed emotions about going back to
school," says Rochelle Harris, PhD, developmental psychologist at
Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. "One child may be excited about
the new school year and the other child might think, 'Oh what a
drag'."
Children who are in kindergarten or first grade and are going
to school for the first time may have difficulty leaving home, mom and
dad for the first time. It is important parents to be brave and help
their children adapt to the school environment gradually, says Dr.
Harris. Parents should bring their child to the school, showing them
their classroom and playground a few different times before school
starts. This will help them adjust.
"With older children, the parent could walk the child through
the class schedule by visiting their different classrooms and their
locker," says Dr. Harris. "It would also be good, if a child does have
a locker with a combination lock, let them practice so they feel
comfortable with opening locks, so they will not have a problem on the
first day of school."
Dr. Harris offers the following tips to help your children make the
transition from the pools to the schools.
- Let your child decorate the inside of their lunch box. This will
give them an activity that will excite them about school and give them
a reminder of home while at school.
- Let your children have input about the bookbags they choose, the
pencils they use, and the clothes they wear. The more input children
have, the happier they will be. Letting children make decisions helps
boost their self-esteem
- Review safety tips: Teach your child to obey traffic markings, look
both ways before crossing the street, avoid strangers, wear a helmet
when riding a bike and to sit at all times while the school bus is
moving.
- Start helping your child adapt to the school schedule by getting
that child up for school early beginning a couple of weeks before the
first day of school.
- Talk to your child about their anxiety, fears about peer or
academics-related issues, but enforce, how exciting it is for them to
start school once again. Tell them it is normal for them to be excited
about school, but do allow them to rest only on the negative.
- Tell your positive school experiences to your child. "Kids like to
hear that mom and dad were once in third grade, too, or what school was
like for them," Harris says.
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