BACK TO SCHOOL BLUES

Let’s face it back to school time can be filled with stress and anxiety not only for the kids but for the teachers and caregivers as well. Going from lazy summer days to a rigid schedule can be overwhelming. Some kids thrive on chaos but for the majority most kids seek a routine and schedule. Even most adults feel safer and more productive with a routine. Now add a pandemic to the mix and transitioning back to school becomes even more overwhelming for everyone. Here are some simple things that you can do to help turn those back to school blues into back to school success… 

1. Use a countdown calendar to note the end of summer break and the start of school. Besides who does not love a fun countdown and having a visual? Check out this fun Back to School Countdown Calendar that I have created to get the kids excited about school. Each day you and your child will answer or complete the daily activity on the calendar. For an added bonus and more fun, you can have the child unwrap small trinkets or candy from the dollar bin each day. You can even wrap up their school supplies and have them unwrap them. 

2. Play a game of “Name 5” to talk about different scenarios and get them prepared for the school year. Check out my adaptive “Name 5” school edition to learn how to play. 

3. Make a visual schedule or use this app (Visual Schedule and Social Story) so your child knows what is expected of them, can complete their morning routine independently, and you can get out of the door on time and with less meltdowns.  

4. Practice the school morning routine 2-3 days prior to work out all of the challenges, see what is going to work, and get the child back on a routine in advance.  

5. Go on a back to school scavenger hunt the night before school starts. Hide school items (i.e. lunch box, back pack, first day of school outfit, school supplies, etc.) around the house and have the child hunt for the items. You can make a list of the things that they need to find so they can check the items off as they find them or you can just tell them what they need to find. Once they find all of the items they can get them ready for the first day and put them by the door. This activity is a win-win for everyone. The kids get to have fun going on a scavenger hunt and you don’t have to rush around on the first day of school trying to gather all of the items up.  

Now I realize that some districts are doing all virtual learning during the pandemic so here are some tips to make the transition to virtual learning a success: 

1. Set up a routine/daily schedule and stick with it for the most part. When kids don’t have anywhere to be at a certain time and can stay in their pajamas all day it’s hard to stick to a routine. 

2. Let your child select a designated space that is comfortable and functional to meet their needs while completing their school work. 

3. Foster independence by allowing them to do as much of the work on their own and allowing them to fail. Keep in mind that your child is used to going to school on their own and they are usually in a class with 25-30 peers so they are used to doing work independently, not getting constant attention. It’s ok to help them when needed but don’t allow them to become so dependent on your help because then that will make the transition back to onsite learning that much more difficult. 

4. Allow sensory breaks throughout the day. We all need breaks while working whether that’s getting up and stretching, walking to a different room, eating lunch, checking Facebook, etc. to help us focus and attend. Schedule in sensory breaks every 60-90 mins to allow for success.