Back to school!

Posted Aug 5, 2010 by Jenn Reid | Comments ( 1 ) | Filed in:

For many families, "back to school" time is just around the corner. Whether your child is starting school for the first time or moving on to a new grade level, this time of year is a time a change. Change can bring about feelings of excitement as well as uncertainty.

For ways to help your child prepare for a new school year, see the Center article, Helping School Age Children Prepare For a New Teacher. This article discusses some of the ways parents can help their child feel prepared for the changes that a new school year can bring. Below is an excerpt:

"The single most important way to prepare for a change is to talk. It is possible that a child will want to avoid thinking about his upcoming year. [...] Parents should find ways to bring up the next year, talk about what they do know, and help their son or daughter wonder about what he or she does not know."

Books and reading together with your young child provide an excellent avenue for opening up discussions, especially about topics that are challenging. For books on the topic of separation and autonomy, see our second book list, Feeling strong on my own. These books were selected specifically to help children think about and prepare for time away from their parents and in new experiences, a part of every new school year.

1 Comment(s)

  1. Posted by Mattingly on Jan 24, 2012
    Damn, I wish I could think of somiethng smart like that!