Tips for Making the Transition from Summer to School Easier
Familiarize yourself and your child with the physical space of the school.
This is especially helpful if your child is starting school for the first time, or if they’re attending a new school. Helping them become familiar with their future surroundings can eliminate some of the anxiety surrounding the unknown. If you can’t schedule a formal tour during the summer, try to go by the school on your own and point out the school’s surrounding area. When my daughter started at a new school we went and played on the playground, which gave her a fun visual reference on her first day!
Give your child as much control over their school supplies, backpack and clothes as possible.
Empower your kids to choose the things that they feel comfortable with and excited about. That neon green backpack might not be your first choice, but if it helps them to feel comfortable in their own skin, it’s worth it to make their back-to-school transition less stressful and more fun!
Attend any and all orientations offered for parents.
Schools typically offer orientations for students before the school year starts, but there are often orientation opportunities for parents as well. Use this time to meet your child’s teacher and familiarize yourself with their classroom and homework expectations. This can help empower families to feel confident in supporting both the teacher and their child for school year success – especially when your student conveniently forgets what those classroom and homework expectations are!
Actively support your child’s relationship with their teacher.
Kids who feel connected with their teacher are more ready to learn. Help to facilitate a positive relationship between your child and their teacher by talking about the teacher in a positive manner. If you have any concerns about your child’s first few weeks of school and are worried that they haven’t yet bonded with their teacher, make sure to send a note or call the teacher to hear their observations. They will be able to provide feedback on how your child is doing in the classroom and, if needed, will likely be more than willing to put in a little extra effort to encourage your child to be more comfortable around them.
Actively support your child’s relationship with their peers.
Positive peer relationships help all kids feel comfortable in the classroom and at recess. Asking your child what they did at school is a good way to gain insight into their day. However, we all know that sometimes getting a child to open up is easier said than done! If you find that your child isn’t enthusiastic about discussing their day during a normal conversation, try a different approach. I’ve found that playing the game “Two Truths and a Lie” about your day during dinner helped me get more information about my children’s academic and social life at school. Adults have to participate as well!
Prepare for a teary goodbye… for your child and for yourself!
Goodbyes can be hard for both the student and the parent, and that’s OK! Reassure your child and yourself that you’re both going to have great days and that you’ll see each other later on. On my son’s first day of Kindergarten he cried and clung to my leg, and I remember being torn between feeling both sad and relieved. Sad because I had to leave him and go to work, but also relieved that a part of this outburst was because he loved me and didn’t want me to leave! The next day, his very wise teacher bent down to his eye level and whispered to him that she had something special to show him in the classroom. His curiosity got the best of him and he promptly left my side and went off without a backwards glance!
Like all of us, some children experience more intense anxiety when going through a transition like starting a new school year. As a clinician in public schools, part of my job is to be an unbiased, helping hand for parents and children. I have worked with countless families who have struggled to walk into the building during the first few days of school. For these families, it is so important for them to know that this anxiety is normal and that school staff are trained to help them cope with the challenges associated with these transitions.
Blueberry Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk, plus more if needed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large mixing bowl. In a separate large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Add the milk, sour cream, half the melted butter and the vanilla, whisking to blend. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the egg mixture into it. Whisk the ingredients together just until blended. Fold the blueberries and lemon zest into the batter.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and coat with some of the remaining melted butter. For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of the batter into the hot skillet. Cook 3 or 4 pancakes at a time, depending on the size of the skillet. If the batter seems too thick, thin it with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk. When bubbles begin to form and “pop” on the pancake’s surface, after about 1 minute, and the outer edge looks done, flip it over and cook briefly for about 30 seconds on the other side.
Serves: 4-6
5 Yoga Poses That Will Heal Your Lower Back Pain
Supine Hamstring Stretch
Lying on your back, bend your right knee into your chest and place a strap or rolled-up towel around the ball of your foot. Straighten your leg toward the ceiling. Press out through both heels. If the lower back feels strained, bend the left knee and place the foot on the ground. Hold for 3-5 minutes and then switch to the left let for 3-5 minutes.
Two-Knee Twist
Lying on your back, bend your knees into your chest and bring your arms out at a T. As you exhale lower your knees to ground on the right. Keep both shoulders pressing down firmly. If the left shoulder lifts, lower your knees further away from the right arm. Hold for 1-2 minutes each side
Sphinx
Lying on your stomach, prop yourself up on your forearms. Align your elbows directly under your shoulders. Press firmly through your palms and the tops of your feet. Press your pubic bone forward. You will feel sensations in your lower back, but breathe through it. You are allowing blood flow into the lower back for healing. Hold for 1-3 minutes.
Pigeon
From all-fours, bring your right knee behind your right wrist with your lower leg at a diagonal toward your left hip. Square off your hips toward the ground. Bend forward. Widen the elbows and place one hand on top of the other as a pillow for your forehead. Hold 2-3 minutes and then switch to the left side for 2-3 minutes.
If pigeon pose bothers your knees, then do Thread the Needle.
Thread the Needle
Lying on your back, bend both knees with the feet flat on the ground. Bend the right knee like a figure four, with the outer left ankle to the right thigh. Lift the left foot into the air, bringing the left calf parallel to the ground. Thread your right hand between the opening of the legs and interlace your hands behind your left thigh. Hold 2-3 minutes and then repeat on the other side.
