Counselor's Corner

Counselors Corner:  Transitioning Back to School
 
We welcome those familiar faces and look forward to getting to know the new faces.  Whether you’re a returning family or starting your first year, your children need guidance in transitioning to routines and keeping up with schedules.  Here are some ways to help your children through that transition.
Establish routines.  Children need structure and routines to help them to organize their days.  Designate an age appropriate bed time that will allow your child to get the right amount of sleep they need to be well rested.  In addition, ensuring that your children eat a nutritious breakfast helps to get the day started in the right direction.  Good nutrition and rest are keys to a successful school day.
Designate a space:  A designated space to put backpacks, lunch bags, athletic gear, shoes, jackets, etc.  This allows children to have a place to keep their things; it also helps them with organization.  Another designated space should be a homework area.  This area can be a desk or table with good lighting and ample room to do homework.  A homework area helps children focus on the task at hand and eliminates distractions.
Communicate:  Talk with your children about their day.  Give them the opportunity to express their anxieties, excitements or disappointments.  Listen to them, be supportive, and encourage sharing.  Show interest in their education, friends, teachers, and school.
 
This is just a small list of items that can help your child transition back to school.  Incorporating these tools can help alleviate back to school stressors and encourage responsibility, study skills, and communication.  For additional tools or tips, feel free to email me at  cahern@stmarysmail.com.