August is a great time to start thinking about your child’s transition back-to-school. Thinking proactively about what your child will be navigating when they return to a school schedule will make the transition more successful. It will also help parents avoid falling into the trap of accommodating when, in fact, their child should be managing their school life as independently as possible.
Use the following checklist to help you outline your expectations around your child’s engagement, participation, attitude, etc.
Be sure to review these expectations well before the start of school.
- Morning routine (wake up, room maintenance, breakfast, etc.)
- The care and keeping of their belongings (schoolbooks, supplies, backpack, lunch, water bottle, snacks, sports equipment, instruments, etc.)
- Extra-curriculars, sports, part-time jobs, volunteer work, etc.
- Chores
- Technology use
- After school/ night routine (HW, dinner, chores, self-care, etc.)
- Bedtime routine, lights out time
- Curfew
- A roadmap for when your child feels overwhelmed/stressed/busy
- A plan for checking homework completion / grades on school portal
- A consistent plan for checking in with your child
- Other?
Identify the things you and your child can take care of NOW to help facilitate a smooth transition back-to-school:
- Ensure summer assignments/readings getting done
- Involve your child in the purchasing of school supplies and back-to-school
clothing, shoes, etc. - Reach out to your child’s school to establish supports, support person, accommodations, etc. (identify one point person in your child’s school that he/she can count on for support)
- Start to push back on bedtimes, establish school night routines
- Model a positive back-to-school mindset
- Support social gatherings with school friends/classmates
- Identify an organizational system for the family’s schedules, activities, etc.
- Celebrate a return to school with a new family ritual (favorite night before school dinner, choosing first day of school outfit, etc.)
- Other?
For additional helpful information, head to the Anxiety Institute
