Monday, August 20, 2012

How to reduce back-to-school anxiety

As students in Florida are returning back to school today and tomorrow adjusting to a new schedule and different activities can cause unnecessary problems without the right preparation.
Here are 6 tips to reduce back-to school anxiety:
  1. Parents should clear their schedules for the first week of the new school year. Postpone business trips, volunteer meetings, and other projects so that you can help your child acclimate to the school routine.
  2. Prepare lunches the night before to avoid rushing out of the house in the morning.
  3. Instruct your kids on how to set their own alarm clocks to get up in the morning. Praise them for prompt response to morning schedules and bus pickups.
  4. Pin an index card with important information to your child's backpack or clothing, including their teacher’s name, bus number, as well as your daytime contact information.
  5. Communicate frequently with your child’s teachers. Let the teachers know that you are interested in getting regular feedback on how and what your child is doing in school. Be sure to attend back-to-school night and introduce yourself to the teachers. Find out how they like to communicate with parents (e.g., through notes, e-mail, or phone calls). Convey a sincere desire to be a partner with your children’s teachers to enhance their learning experience.
  6. Familiarize yourself with the other school professionals. Make an effort to find out who it is in the school or district who can be a resource for you and your child. Learn their roles and how best to access their help if you need them. This can include the principal and front office personnel; school psychologist, counselor, and social worker; the reading specialist, speech therapist, sign language interpreter, school nurse; and the after-school activities coordinator.

The right preparation will eliminate many potential problems before they arise and helps your child start the new school year on a positive note.

Source: http://www.nasponline.org/resources/home_school/b2shandout.aspx

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