Parenting With a Purpose: Back to School Anxiety

As summer is coming to an end, the transition back to class can be a bit daunting and stressful for children and parents alike. 

(LEP, BCBA) renowned parenting psychologist, board-certified behavior analyst, and author joined us live today to discuss why managing parents stress is equally as important to helping children cope through the first few weeks of school.

Here are some ways to manage the stress: 

• Transition: A week or two before school, start preparing children for the upcoming transition by resuming school-year routines, such as setting a realistic bedtime and selecting tomorrow’s clothes.
• Set up Playdates:  with one or more familiar peers before school starts. Research shows that the presence of a familiar peer during school transitions can improve children’s academic and emotional adjustment.
• Meet Teacher and Visit School: Visit the school before the school year begins, Walk the grounds, practice the schedules from one class to another, rehearse the drop-off and spend time on the playground or inside the classroom if the building is open. 
• Practice separation and reinforce independence. Take a family photo in the lunch box, send a sweet note.
• Validate: Worries your child has and addresses any concerns.  Like any new activity, starting school can be hard but soon becomes easy and fun. My book Winnie and her worries