3 Ways to Support Your Child in Confidently Going Back to School
BACK TO SCHOOL! This can be a time of tremendous excitement and great anxiety for both parents and children alike. As parents, we can all agree that we want the very best for our children. Our hope is for our kids to grow up to become self-assured, happy and successful adults. It is clear that school is a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to shaping their lives. Although it can feel intimidating to send our children back to school, there are many ways that parents can prepare and nurture their children to confidently return to school and grow throughout the year.
Talk it Through - Speak to Your Child’s Strengths
Talking through what they can expect in the upcoming school year (including anticipated challenges and exciting learning milestones) is a great way to mentally prepare your child to return to school. Both at the beginning of the school year and throughout the year, find age-appropriate ways to role play situations where your child might be challenged. Present them with opportunities to practice growth-mindset and value-based choices. As you talk to your child, remember that each child has a different personality - don’t forget to speak to their strengths! Talk often about the upcoming school year and how their specific gifts/talents will be an asset to themselves and to others. For example:
Let a social and outgoing child know that they are going to have so much fun meeting new friends at school! Speak to the social leader within them and encourage them to smile often and share their positive energy with others.
Let a focused and serious child know that they will excel in the new academic challenges they will encounter this year. Let them know that they have a gift to be a great example to other students in their class.
Let an emotional and sensitive child know that they are going to have many opportunities to grow and to help others this year. Encourage them to reach out to students they notice who might need a friend. Let them know that they will be loved by many.
Offer Your Child Ownership Over the Upcoming Experience
Offering your child as much ownership as possible over their upcoming experience will go a long way. You might consider any of the following ways to offer additional choices and ownership to your child:
Take your child to pick out an outfit or a backpack for the first day of school
Ask your child if (and when) they would like to go check out their new classroom/school building and meet their teacher(s)
Invite your child to write down and/or share the goals they have for upcoming school year
Ask your child what they are most excited about going into this school year
Ask your child what they need from you to feel as prepared as possible, or what you can do to better support them
Invite your older child to create a home lunch meal plan for the first week of school, or let your younger child prepare lunch with you the evening before
Learn and Speak your Child’s Love Language
If you have not already (or if you have and need a refresher!), crack open The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. This quick read offers many practical tips for identifying and regularly speaking your child’s love language. A safe and loving atmosphere at home will make a tremendous difference in the confidence your child feels outside of the home. Find creative ways to fill your child’s “love tank” before, during, and after school. Be intentional with your efforts - consider tracking in your planner a daily effort to speak your child’s love language. Here are a few ideas for each love language (although the more extensive list you individualize for your child will be the best by far!):
Physical touch - hugging often, sitting close together while watching a movie, playing active games together
Quality Time - checking your child out of school for lunch out, planning parent-child dates, asking questions around the dinner table
Words of Affirmation - writing notes to leave in your child’s lunch box, offering specific praise for good choices and strengths
Gifts - planning a surprise trip to their favorite treat shop after school, placing a new water bottle or set of pens in their backpack
Acts of Service - making your child’s bed and leaving a little something on their pillow, choosing their favorite dinner to make for the night
We hope these ideas and suggestions spark many more for you!
How else have you helped your child to confidently prepare for the upcoming school year?