Dealing with the Emotions of Back to School…

Soon we will be back at school! This is such an exciting time for kindergarten aged children and their families – students will be exposed to many “new” things and places, navigating new routines and making new friends. Even parents find themselves adapting at this time of year as we all get accustomed to changes. There’s a lot going on everywhere, but especially for kindergarten families!

Kindergarten-aged children arrive for school during the first weeks with heightened emotions: excitement about being with other children and all the new things they can play together, worry about whether they can meet expectations (and sometimes their own expectations for themselves are very demanding) , pride in being a big school-aged kid, anxiety about what may happen at home without them (so some want to bring something special from home), determination to do the best they can, shyness at seeing new faces, and joy at meeting again with old friends! It’s a lot to deal with at any age, and life can become a real roller coaster!

Teachers and parents need to understand that in this heightened state of emotional turmoil, the value of a compliment or a bit of encouragement is multiplied ten-fold. Nothing succeeds like success, and the child who thinks he or she did well at something will continue to do that “something” at least as well for months! The reverse is also true though, so at this time of year, we believe in focusing on the positive and spreading liberal amounts of heartfelt and sincere praise. When we all recognize what a big step it is for children to come through the classroom door and spend a part of their day in a big new world, it’s easy to appreciate the significance of their accomplishments!

As parents, try to set aside time to focus on your child, talk about their day, enjoy a book together, or play for a few minutes. This gives you both an opportunity to talk, and importantly, the time together will reinforce those important feelings of security and love. If your child is anxious, let them know that it’s normal to take some time to feel comfortable. Reassure them that not everything that is different turns out to be difficult – sometimes it is fun and exciting! It just takes everyone a little while to adjust.

It may be both emotionally and physically exhausting while everyone adjusts, so remember that regular snacks or mealtimes, bedtimes and settled routines at home all help accommodate your child’s needs. Lastly, keep your teacher updated if your child is having difficulties. Sometimes the most eager student suddenly struggles to face a day of school. That’s normal too! Working together we can all help support your new student, and rest assured, our staff have lots of experience in providing comfort and helping children understand their emotions. Together, we will work to find the right strategies to help ease the situation, and help everyone move forward.