Back to School: Tips for Parents

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

• Be interested and enthusiastic about the start of the school year. If you are confident and excited, your child will be too.

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

• 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’s normal to feel nervous about the start of school. For parents of younger children, suggest that your child take a family photo or special object to school to make his or her surroundings more comfortable.

• Spend time each day talking to 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 in your child’s education. Children whose parents are more involved with their education have higher achievement, are better adjusted and are less likely to drop out of school.

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

Anxiety and stress about starting school is normal for a child and usually passes within the first few days or weeks. If your child continues to seem anxious or stressed, it may be time to seek help. Talk to your child’s teacher and/or family physician about what you can do as a parent. If problems persist, consider a referral to a trained and qualified mental health professional.

For more information on helping your child cope with stress as well as children’s social and emotional development, visit the National Mental Health Association at www.nmha.org, or call 1-800-969-NMHA.

Resources:

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (1996). Back to School Time- Tips to Help Children Adjust. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/back.school.p.k12.4.html

National Headstart Association. Family and Parents—Parent Tip Sheets. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://www.serve.org/TT/fp_tips.html

Witmer, D. (2006). Tips for Parents of Children Going to Middle School for the First Time. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://backtoschool.about.com/od/parentsplace/a/middleschool1.htm

Buzzle.com. (2005). Kick Off a Stress-Free School Year. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/10-21-2003-46772.asp

Rosen, M. (2006). Making the Transition: Help Your Child Navigate These Typical Middle School Challenges. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=2157

Mizelle, N. (1999). The Transition to High School. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://www.tusd.k12.az.us/contents/distinfo/tips/tip1_05_2001.html

Family Education Network. (2005). Moving from Middle to High School. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://school.familyeducation.com/school-readiness/parents-and-teacher/37690.html

The Public School Parents Network. (2004). Ten Tips to Help Prepare Students for High School. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://www.psparents.net/High%20School.htm

Magliaro, J. (2005). Kick Off a Stress Free School Year. Retrieved July 11, 2006 from http://www.princetonol.com/back_to_school/article_sylvan03.cfm

NC State University. Recognizing Stress in Children: Helping Children Cope with a Disaster. Retrieved July 18, 2006 from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/human/disas1.html

National Mental Health Association
2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959