Getting Ready For Back To School
The end of summer is almost here and that, of course, means back to school for kids nationwide.
School is the center of a child's world and so beginning a new grade can cause anxiety for some. Josh Lerman, senior editor at Parenting magazine, came to The Early Show to offer some tips on easing children back into academics after a summer off.
Lerman said younger children who are not experienced with school could be worried about facing something new.
"They haven't got a lifetime of seeing what school is like or preschool is like," he told Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm. "They don't know what classrooms are like. They don't know every single day is going to be filled with activities. You want to be sure to tell them what is involved. If you want to bring them to the classroom, demystify the experience so they have an understanding of what it's going to be like."
A good idea to get the child in the swim socially for the new environment is to arrange a play date with a classmate before the school year begins.
"You can get a social bond going," Lerman said. "At least they know who's in the room with them. They have an anchor."
Lerman also said parents should avoid dragging out saying goodbye, and be firm. The longer you stay, the more upset an apprehensive child will get.
"They think, maybe they'll stay all day, maybe they'll stay till lunch," he said. "Make it short and sweet."
Older children already know what to expect in the classroom, but they tend to develop more anxiety about social issues. They worry that their friends will no longer like them, that they will not have classes with their friends, or that they will not be wearing the right thing.
"Get them the outfit they want for the first day of school," he said. "Make sure they can relax about that sort of thing."
Parents should talk about the classes their child will be taking and try to relate things back to their own experiences.
"Give them a sense of context," Lerman said. "Remind them they're not the only ones" to ever experience back-to-school anxiety.
He added that it is important for parents to make sure their child has a special place for studying and homework. Enough sleep is also important for academic success, Lerman said.
Another important new school year to-do: review safety information. Make sure children know their home phone number, their parents' cell phone number and how to reach mom or dad in an emergency.