From Anxious to Excited: Mastering Back-to-School Prep with PBS

School supplies are about to hit the shelves, yellow buses are rolling, and new sneakers are on the shopping list. This is a sure sign it is back-to-school time. While many parents are elated students will be getting back to school routines, the transition can be scary. The thought of the unknown can make returning to school challenging, particularly after a long summer break. Here are some strategies that can help with the transition back to school after summer and in preparation for the first day. Some simple practices developed within the science of Positive Behavior Support may help parents in getting their children ready for the new school year! This can include preventative or consequence-based strategies.

Before School Starts

A few weeks before school starts, begin to get organized with a calendar system and a visual schedule for your child. Many adults find a calendar indispensable, and your child may too. A calendar system helps with predictability and organization. This could be a weekly or daily calendar with the days off and any activities noted. This calendar can be a series of pictures or written words. As activities are completed, children can cross it off the list or remove them. Satisfying!

It is also helpful for your child to know the structure and breakdown of the school day. Often these are posted on websites for parents for the school day and can include academic times, and can include academic times, lunch, recess, and special areas like art, music, and PE. Reviewing and if possible, practicing how the day’s transitions will work is valuable.

Planning and practicing how your child will get to and from school can help to eliminate those first day transportation jitters. If your child is traveling to school by car, take a few dry runs to point out familiar sites and that there will likely be a car loop and you can explain that there will be adults and safety patrols to help your child out of the car and into the school. If your child is taking the bus, it may be helpful to review expectations of bus behavior which could include being silent at railroad crossings and remaining seated.

If the child is in a new school environment, the transition could be more difficult. If you have the opportunity, contact the principal to set up a meeting or arrange for a tour of the school for your child and you. The summer is a good time for the principal or assistant principal to show off the school polished and ready for the new year. Perhaps the principal has a photo of the teacher to familiarize your child with their appearance.

Often right before school begins, there is an orientation or “meet and greet” at the school. These events, typically held in early evening, are a chance to meet the teacher, learn about the school day, and meet other classmates. Likely there will be a daily schedule posted in the classroom so your child can know the structure of the day.  Take a photo of this schedule and document any specific rules which the class follows. The teacher will likely talk about rules and expectations to parents at that event. After the event, ask clarifying questions about the rules and expectations for your child. Parents and children will also tour or walk through the school.  While the teacher won’t be available for a one-on-one conference that evening, you could provide a letter to the teacher which includes information about your child—strengths, abilities, best ways to support your child, sensory needs, and any dietary restrictions. Additionally, put all your contact information on the letter should the teacher want to reach out.

Adjusting to the new schedule and routine in the summer could help ease transition times. Some parents choose to keep the same bedtime throughout the year, however bedtime on school nights is usually earlier than in the summer. Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for a successful school day! School nighttime routines may include preparing for the next day—laying out clothing, making lunch, getting backpacks organized and ready to go, etc. Starting this routine in the summer is beneficial and often helps make the morning calmer.

During the summer, consider adding specific structures that mirror the school schedule to the daily routine. It is important as your child prepares to learn. This can include tabletop activities, simple academic tasks, and participating in independent activities which your child will be asked to do in school. Worksheets and small projects are a click away on the internet. Utilizing your smart phone timer would be helpful as your child prepares for more structured learning activities in the classroom. The timer could also be used for chores and other tasks.

There will be increased academic and independent demands, so establishing a good reinforcement system could assist in building on your child’s strengths using your child’s preferences. These items could be as simple as reading a favorite book, going on an outing, watching a television show, or a special treat. Once highly motivated activities and items are determined, you can implement a reward system (reinforcement system). You can reinforce following school rules and expectations.

After School Starts

Often the key to success in school for children boils down to parent communication and participation . This doesn’t mean you need to attend every Fall Festival, PTA meeting, or Fun Run. Good communication and participation are just that—you are advocating for your child and being mentally and emotionally present in your child’s school experience. This could mean homework, parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, asking how your child’s day went and encouraging success for your child in all aspects of school life. Communicating with the school about any day-to-day changes such as new medication or unusual environmental stressors is encouraged to be part of your practice.

In today’s educational technology world, parents have multiple means of communicating with teachers using technology such as Class Dojo, K12 Insight, Class Tag, Google Classroom, Remind, to name a few. See if your child’s school uses such a system and learn how to use it. Having a comfortable, communicative relationship with the teacher(s) can lead to a positive school experience for all. Additionally, glancing at the school website weekly and following the school/district on social media is a good practice. This doesn’t mean getting caught up in the social media “drama” of the school, but to know the events happening at the school and to be alerted to any changes in the calendar could be beneficial. 

Finally

Remember, despite whatever experience you had in your school years, it is a wonderful place for children to connect with peers and caring adults. Some days may be great while others may be challenging. Your school team is there to support you and your child as they continue in their educational journey. Celebrate efforts and small wins, they often blossom into larger wins. —enjoy the ride! 

Have a great school year!

About Author:

Holly Downs is the Director of Ethical Compliance at [PBS Corp] (https://www.teampbs.com/) and an instructor at Capella University. She is a certified behavior analyst with over a decade of experience in various populations