Back to School Tips

Establish an early routine

• Planning for a good school year starts in the summer. Begin establishing a "back to school" routine at least two weeks prior to school starting to minimize stress and help with the transition.
• Adjust their bedtime schedule. Many kids (including teens) need as many as 9 or more hours of sleep. Adjusting their schedule ahead of time will help your child be ready when school starts.
• Promote good eating habits. Plan for ways to ensure your child gets a healthy breakfast to help prepare them for the school day. If you pack your children's lunches, go grocery shopping with them and allow them to pick out healthy foods they’ll enjoy. Kids tend to eat what they’ve picked out themselves.

Get acquainted with the school

• See if your child is interested in visiting the school prior to the first day. Take a walk around the school with your child to locate his or her classrooms, lunchroom, playground and restrooms.  If you can’t visit, take a virtual tour on the school’s website. There may be photos of the classroom, playground, school staff, required school supplies, schedules, etc. This will help keep your child from feeling lost on the first day.
• Engage with school staff. Identify school functions or parent volunteer opportunities to stay involved in your child's education.

Provide emotional support

• Talk to your child about expectations for the upcoming school year. Ask about specific concerns they might have about the new school year.  
• If you establish rules, make sure they are simple, age appropriate, clear, and can be consistently enforced.  Introduce them before the school year starts, and try not to change rules often. 

Spend time each day talking to your child. Try to use open ended questions.  We all have asked, “How was school today?” Our children often respond with, “Fine” or “Good.”  Try asking, “What was the most exciting thing about today? What was the most stressful?”  Remember to share about your life too.  Creating an open dialogue is about creating healthy habits and practices.

• Praise and encourage your child to become involved with school activities and to try new things. Encourage your child to try to make new friends and to be a friend. School is a "social hub" that can be a very lonely place without a friend or two. Encourage them to reconnect with a friend before the start of school. Talk about strategies for
• making new friends.

Know that your child's mental health is just as important as their physical health; your involvement will help him or her develop a healthier life.

For the full article, and other helpful back-to-school info go to: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net