Back to School Basics
With the new school year right around the corner, it’s time to prepare your child for the transition back to the classroom. Parents and children may feel both joy and dread about starting a new academic year, and there are ways to make the return to school less stressful.
Start transitioning your child back to school towards the end of summer break by talking about school and looking at pictures of her classroom and friends from the previous year. Let her help choose a book bag, school clothes and supplies. Begin wake-up and bedtime routines a few weeks before school starts. Avoid any negative conversations about school or the staff, and don’t talk about missing your child when she is in school. Focus on the positive school experiences that she enjoys.
To prepare teachers and therapists, especially if they are new to your child, it’s important to have a meeting prior to the first day of school. Be sure to provide information about CdLS and let them know about the Foundation and its resources.
Ideally, this introduction would’ve taken place at the end of the previous school year or during summer school (if your child attends), allowing the professionals to see your child in class and become familiar with her level of functioning. The new teacher and therapists should receive reports from the previous year’s staff that shares your child’s preferences and skills.
It’s also helpful if you visit the classroom a day or two before school starts in order to bring any special equipment or supplies your child needs in the classroom. Be sure to call the school office to make an appointment with the teacher at a convenient time. Relationship building begins right away, and it’s helpful if the teacher knows you want to be an active participant in your child’s success at school.
Be an equal, contributing member of the educational team that works with your child. Attend team meetings and open houses, visit the classroom, and participate in special activities. Know what the teacher is doing at school so you can reinforce the skills at home. Find opportunities for your child to continue to learn in school-like settings during school breaks. Sports, music, art, crafts, camps, parks, and community programs can help you and your child discover new interests.
CdLS Outreach USA, published on 1 Jul 2001
