Starting school or going back to school can be a stressful time. Allow children time to adjust. Remind them that everyone feels a little nervous about the first day of school and that it will all become an everyday routine in no time.
It’s also important to talk to children about what worries them and offer reassurance. If your child has specific worries about the first day of school, listen to her, offer reassurance and brainstorm together for solutions.
Consider adjusting your own schedule to make the transition smoother. If you are a working parent, taking some time in the morning and afternoon so that you are not rushed and can help with the transition. Try to arrange your evenings so you can give children as much time as they need to share, talk and decompress, especially during those first few days.
To help ease back-to-school butterflies, try to transition children into a consistent school-night routine a few weeks before school starts. Also consider the following tips:
- Make sure your children get enough sleep. Establish a reasonable bedtime so that they will be well-rested and ready to learn in the morning;
- Serve them a healthy breakfast. They will be more alert and do better academically if they eat a good breakfast every day;
- Visit the classroom, playground and/or building with your children a few times before school starts. This can help familiarize them with a new environment, easing any anxiety they might have;
- Have them organize and set out what they need the night before. Have them lay out their clothes in their bedrooms;
- When dropping off your children, be loving, be direct and leave promptly. Don’t say you’ll miss them; instead, say you can’t wait to hear about their day.
To help keep your child healthy at school, ask yourself these questions:
- Have your children received all the necessary immunizations?
- Have you filled out any forms that the school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms?
- Do the school operators, directors and teachers know about any medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes or any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day?
- Have you arranged with the school administrators to dispense any medications your child might need?
- Do the teachers know about any conditions that may affect how your child learns?
To ensure children get the most out of school, maintain an open channel of communication with the teachers by talking with them frequently.
Most importantly, whether it’s the first day of school or the last, make sure your children know you’re there to listen to their feelings and concerns.
At The Goddard School, the owners, directors and faculty work with parents to nurture children into respectful, confident and joyful learners. They are also committed to open and daily communication, informing parents about their children’s daily care, activities and accomplishments, which helps fortify the home/school connection. To this end, the School offers regularly scheduled conferences throughout the year to discuss progress and behaviors with parents.
Every Goddard School has an open-door policy and invites families to visit and learn more about its programs, participate in special celebrations, get involved in the School and attend special events to foster relationships with other families, helping to further strengthen the home/school connection.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please call your local Goddard School or visit any of the School websites below:
Canal Winchester – 614-920-9810
Dublin (Tuttle Crossing) – 614-792-6586
Gahanna – 614-982-0200
Grove City – 614-801-2558
Hilliard (Cosgray) – 614-771-8700
Powell – 614-210-0522
Westerville (Polaris) – 614-882-0111
Worthington Hills – 614-848-6410
