September 2010-Parent Tip on Transitioning Back to School
It's that time of year again where children and their parents need to replace flip flops with actual shoes and swap out beach bags for backpacks. With schedule and sleep changes, it's no wonder the first day (and week) back to school is a bit anxiety producing and anticipatory. Depending on the age of your child, there will be different developmental social/emotional/academic challenges.
For early elementary school age children, the transition from preschool to grade school brings on new expectations and with those-consequences. There is more of a sense of responsibility for completing homework assignments and more complex material is introduced such as computation, reading for meaning and answering questions such as who, what, why and where so they will learn information on plot, character and setting. (n.d., Gurlan, Schwartz and Goodman).
For the upper elementary grades, children will move socially into more cooperative settings. They will at times arrange their own social arrangements and at this point cliques may form as children form relationships with others outside the family more.
In terms of middle school (6-8), children are no longer in one classroom all day but rotate between the classrooms depending on the subjects. Changes in one's body with the onset of puberty will bring changes in the child's perception of his or her body and their feelings about their body. Students have to adapt to a number of teaching styles as opposed to just one. Peer acceptace and pressure becomes paramount. Academically, they will be exposed to multiple exposures to different contents areas on the same day-sometimes in the same block of time.
As a parent it is important to remember all children go through an adjustment period as they begin a new grade and start a new school year. It is important for you to look for any red flags outside the normal range of behaviors (withdrawn, isolated, irritable or complains about going to school) in case more professional help is needed.
Checking in with your child in the car on the way to or from school is a good chance to "take the tempature" so to speak on how the adjustment is coming along. Cars are a good place to check in with your child as it is not as intimidating as face to face discussions. Talking while playing sports with your child is another avenue for dialogue to occur.
Overall, it is clear the fall brings anxiety for all parties involved and you as a parent can do your part to maintain a structured schedule (which reduces anxiety) and offer guidance or a listening ear when needed. If there are some red flags for you, please feel free to call me at 206-329-3260 X220 to help support you and your child.
Gurlan, Anita, Schwartz, Susan, Goodman, Robin (n.d.). Transition Points: Helping Students Start, Change, and Move Through the Grades. NYU Child Study Center.
For early elementary school age children, the transition from preschool to grade school brings on new expectations and with those-consequences. There is more of a sense of responsibility for completing homework assignments and more complex material is introduced such as computation, reading for meaning and answering questions such as who, what, why and where so they will learn information on plot, character and setting. (n.d., Gurlan, Schwartz and Goodman).
For the upper elementary grades, children will move socially into more cooperative settings. They will at times arrange their own social arrangements and at this point cliques may form as children form relationships with others outside the family more.
In terms of middle school (6-8), children are no longer in one classroom all day but rotate between the classrooms depending on the subjects. Changes in one's body with the onset of puberty will bring changes in the child's perception of his or her body and their feelings about their body. Students have to adapt to a number of teaching styles as opposed to just one. Peer acceptace and pressure becomes paramount. Academically, they will be exposed to multiple exposures to different contents areas on the same day-sometimes in the same block of time.
As a parent it is important to remember all children go through an adjustment period as they begin a new grade and start a new school year. It is important for you to look for any red flags outside the normal range of behaviors (withdrawn, isolated, irritable or complains about going to school) in case more professional help is needed.
Checking in with your child in the car on the way to or from school is a good chance to "take the tempature" so to speak on how the adjustment is coming along. Cars are a good place to check in with your child as it is not as intimidating as face to face discussions. Talking while playing sports with your child is another avenue for dialogue to occur.
Overall, it is clear the fall brings anxiety for all parties involved and you as a parent can do your part to maintain a structured schedule (which reduces anxiety) and offer guidance or a listening ear when needed. If there are some red flags for you, please feel free to call me at 206-329-3260 X220 to help support you and your child.
Gurlan, Anita, Schwartz, Susan, Goodman, Robin (n.d.). Transition Points: Helping Students Start, Change, and Move Through the Grades. NYU Child Study Center.