What are some good ways to prepare children for the start of a new school year? - Starting Over Again
Answer: At the start of every school year, children face changes, even if they are returning to the same school. They'll usually have new teachers, classmates and classrooms. Their daily routine might even be entirely different. While change is exciting and can bring an opportunity to grow, it can also cause anxiety, whether a child is just starting school or beginning his or her senior year in high school. Here are some ways you can help your children make a smooth transition to the new school year:
* Speak positively about new opportunities to make friends, study challenging materials and have interesting teachers.
* Encourage your children to renew ties with school friends to make them feel more at home during the first days of the new school year.
* Children who will be attending a new school need to go to orientation programs to become familiar with the building and school policies.
* Give younger children the opportunity to play on their school's playground.
* A week before school starts, you should begin easing your children into your family's routines for bedtime and meals during the school year.
* Do practice transportation trips, if appropriate.
* Talk over and try to resolve any potential points of discord, especially homework time and TV-viewing time.
* Plan to enjoy the coming school year with your children.
On the first day of school, start the tradition of taking a picture of your children, as it will give you a wonderful record of their school days.