{"id":11698,"date":"2021-08-04T21:49:23","date_gmt":"2021-08-04T21:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakecountyschools.net\/thecenter\/?p=11698"},"modified":"2021-08-04T21:49:27","modified_gmt":"2021-08-04T21:49:27","slug":"ways-you-can-help-kids-navigate-heading-back-to-school-maneras-en-que-puede-ayudar-a-los-ninos-a-navegar-de-regreso-a-la-escuela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakecountyschools.net\/thecenter\/2021\/08\/04\/ways-you-can-help-kids-navigate-heading-back-to-school-maneras-en-que-puede-ayudar-a-los-ninos-a-navegar-de-regreso-a-la-escuela\/","title":{"rendered":"Ways you can help kids navigate heading back to school \/ Maneras en que puede ayudar a los ni\u00f1os a navegar de regreso a la escuela"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Here are four ways you can help kids navigate heading back to school.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Talk about what to expect in advance.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Fred Rogers once said, \u201cWhen children know ahead of time what\u2019s going to happen \u2014 and not happen \u2014 they can prepare themselves for what\u2019s coming. They can think about it and get used to their feelings about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk to your child about what school will look like in simple, practical terms. What are the names of their teachers? What will the morning routine at home look like? What will they need to put in their backpack each day? How will they get to school? What will they eat for lunch? How will they get home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you talk about what to expect, you can answer many of their unspoken questions \u2014 and better help your child navigate those unexpected moments that arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Prepare for big emotions.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It takes a lot of energy to adjust to a new routine and get to know new teachers and classmates. As one of my favorite kindergarten teachers reminds families, it takes most children six weeks to adjust to a new school year. Those after school tantrums are normal and don\u2019t mean they are having a terrible time at school!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids often hold in their emotions during the day. After all, you\u2019ve spent years helping them develop strategies to manage their behavior and work well in groups. But undoubtedly at least one thing happens every day that makes them feel worried, sad, or confused. Those feelings often come spilling out in the safety of home. Create a predictable after school routine, including a snack and some downtime. And when your child does have a meltdown, stay close and stay calm. The storm will pass, and then we can help them work through the emotions behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Express your confidence in them.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Children read our emotions for cues about how they should react. If we express our confidence in them, they will pick up on this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, like just every other parent in America, I was really nervous about what the school year would bring! But the night before the first day, I told my rising first-grader: \u201cI am so excited for all the books you are going to read, all the words you are going to write, all the pictures you are going to draw, all the structures you are going to build, all the math you are going to learn, and all the ways you will become stronger and kinder and more responsible. I love watching you grow!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When something goes wrong, you can also use it as an opportunity to express your confidence in them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n