Even though summer goes by in a blink, it can be a recipe for children getting off routines with more screen time, sleeping in, getting out of the habit of chores, and so much more.
Fortunately, you can prepare yourselves and your children to go back to school with a few simple steps. to be able to adjust to the new changes with more ease.
I’m Carly Schrimpl from Power Within Child Therapists and I’ve worked with 100s of children and have seen the benefits of parents managing the transition better with more intention.
Here are 5 tips on how to prep your child to transition back to school.
#1: Creative Countdowns.
Countdowns are a way to help the brain conceptualize that something is changing. Some families get creative with their countdowns and encourage your child to participate in the countdown.
It can be a visual calendar on the fridge where you can cross out the days with check marks, stars, or colors. My favorite is a goodbye summer tradition of healthy popsicles each night prior to the start of school that usually starts 7 days prior to the first day of school.
#2: Manage Screen Time Now.
Screen time usually skyrockets in the summer because there is more down time. When I say screen time, I mean television, youtube, computer games, or anytime that the child has a phone/tablet in their lap.
It is recommended that screen time be limited for 2 hours per day for children 2 and up. That number can seem WAYYYYY too low. That is okay.
You can get into the routine of turning off the wifi at certain times in the home so that everyone is managing their screen time and it can be a creative way to start connecting with one another prior to school starting
#3: Ask for a Tour Before School Starts.
Help your child become familiar with the school by taking them to the open house and showing them a map of the school. This map or visual can help your child develop a plan of safety by knowing where things are that the child may use (bathroom, classroom, faces of the teacher on their website.)
#4: Role-Play the Morning Routine (Child Style and Reverse Style.)
Create a morning routine that you think is best and is going to be successful for your child. Then Practice getting up and engaging in the tasks that children are responsible for a week ahead of the start of school.
This gives them a way to practice and develop a sense of mastery.
I find it fun and a way to promote empathy by reversing the roles. Have the child pretend to be the parent so that they can see you act out how to complete the morning routine successfully.
This also can give them a better understanding of your role during the A.M. and problem solving as they roleplay with you!
#5: Create a Goodbye Ritual for Summer.
This one seems a little goofy. It is important to note that every transition can also be a loss to the brain. Ever wonder why change is so hard? Our brains like to do less so that it can focus on keeping us safe.
When things are new, or there are changes, the brain can be on high alert. Helping your child with a new transition through a ritual can symbolize to the brain that it is okay. It gives yourself and your child closure.
Some goodbye summer rituals include one last trip to a special place or an evening dinner where each person shares their roses,( good things of the summer) Thorns ( not so good things of the summer) and Buds ( things they are looking forward to for the school year).
This is where you can be creative as a parent and have fun healthy ways of saying goodbye to seasons.
Transitions are a part of life and they can be fun and sometimes they can be challenging. If you need more tips or tricks on ways to help your child with transitions give us a call! We can help!
