Begin back to school conversations now

Preparation for the new school year should be initiated well in advance according to experts, and Robin Gurwitch of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center suggests that communicating about the big event is the best way to get started.

"Taking time to talk with and listen to your child about the upcoming school year is one of the best ways parents can help their child transition to school life," Gurwitch explains.

Upon entering each new grade level, children of any age can feel uneasy or stressed about the unexpected. Gurwitch recommends asking your child lots of questions then listening closely to what they have to say. Field each concern or expression of uncertainty seriously and take the time to give meaningful, informational answers.

In the case of kindergarten, Gurwitch claims that routine is paramount. Youngsters should be taken to school open houses to meet their new teachers and get a lay of the land. At home, it’s beneficial to start practicing new regimens weeks in advance, by introducing bedtime at a consistent hour and setting the alarm for the new time at which they will need to rise.

To effectively ease the transition back to classes for all ages, it’s beneficial to shop for clothes and supplies well in advance, to discuss goals for the school year, and to help your child feel connected to the school by encouraging participation in at least one extracurricular activity.

Above all else, Dr. Gurwitch suggests that parents convey optimism and excitement in order to motivate kids. The idea of starting fresh is usually appealing to children and they’ll only feed off your enthusiasm.

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