Back to School Tips for Parents, Children

Editor's note: The following was submitted by Steve White with PrairieCare Community Relations.

“Stress and anxiety about beginning school is common for a child and usually passes within the first few days or weeks of classes starting.  If your child continues to seem anxious, stressed or is having other behavioral or mental health issues, it could be time to consider seeking outside assistance.”  Lora Matz, LICSW, Clinical Education Specialist, at PrairieCare Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics in Maple Grove, Edina and Woodbury. 

The start of a new school year can be a stressful time for any age children, with new teachers and classmates, new routines, bigger classrooms and more school work.  This can be a particularly overwhelming time for children who are facing major transitions, such as starting elementary or entering middle school.  As a parent, there are some proactive steps that you can take to support your child, as she or he heads back to school.

• Become interested and enthusiastic about the start of the new school year. Many times, if you are excited and confident, your child will be also.

• Take time to listen to your child and discuss aspects of the new school that he or she is worried about. Remember to let your child know that it is common to feel nervous about the start of school. For parents of younger children, suggest that your child take a family photo or special object with them, to make his or her surroundings more comfortable.

• If you have visited your child’s school already, you are one step ahead of the game. If not, try to take a walk around the school with your child and locate their classrooms, lunch room, playground and restrooms. This will help keep your child from feeling lost on the first day.

• After school has started, spend some time each day talking with your child about what happened in school. Give your child positive feedback about his or her new experiences.

• Praise and encourage your child to become involved with school activities and try new things.

• Attend school functions and stay involved with your child’s education.  Children whose parents are more involved with their education, generally have higher achievement, are better adjusted and are less likely to drop out of school later.

• Make it a point to learn about how your child develops, not just physically, but socially and emotionally, as well. If you are aware of what is typical behavior and thoughts for your child’s stage in life, you will more readily be able to tell when things might not be right.