Back to School: How can you help?
Did summer even happen? I guess so…
Because here we are again…back to school!
My oldest is heading to kindergarten, and I have ALL. THE. FEELS. So excited for him to embark on this new chapter, but really sad to admit he’s not quite a baby anymore. Where does the time go?
The million dollar question is: how can we help our little ones get ready? Whether it’s preschool or kindergarten, full-day or half-day, public or private, there are lots of things you can do at home to support this transition.
Not all activities need to be academic in nature- in fact, some of the most important skills aren’t even taught in the classroom. I’m talking about self-help and advocacy. These skills go a long way, and they start at home.
Without further ado, here’s my (personal, not all-inclusive) list!
Help your child identify personal items.
This is a big one! Children are usually somewhat responsible for collecting and packing up their things throughout the day. Support your child in identifying and claiming what’s theirs:
Practice using items a week or so before school starts to increase familiarity.
Use identifiable marks or stickers to help your child recognize what’s theirs.
Allow your child to pick out their own school gear.
Encourage your child to help pack their backpack and lunchbox every day.
Model and practice using direct and powerful language.
I often tell parents the two most important words in a toddler’s or preschooler’s vocabulary is “mine” and “no.” Of course we want our kids to be polite and generous, but until then, make sure they have the tools to express common thoughts and feelings.
Model direct language when you notice your child expressing thoughts/feelings in different ways (e.g., “next time tell me, ‘that’s mine!’”)
Read books about sharing and playing with friends
Practice during small play dates with 1-2 other children- jump in if you need to
Encourage independence.
As parents and caregivers, we do a lot for our kids, but we won’t be there during the school day. Of course they will continue to need support in certain areas, but practicing tasks like- taking a jacket on and off, opening juice boxes, and throwing trash away will go a long way. The concept of independence will look different for every child/family (think, age, experiences, motor/language skills, etc.), so consider what your child will benefit from most:
Practice these skills during your daily routines (e.g., opening straws and putting them in juice boxes during lunch)
Fade your support(s) over time (e.g., only pulling your child’s pants to their knees after the bathroom, encouraging them to finish)
Teach strategies to help- for example, flipping their coat/backpack over their head
Help your child understand safety rules and expectations.
Another big one! Start these conversations early. PRACTICE. Increase familiarity. As a parent, my kids’ safety is a top priority. This responsibility doesn’t fall solely on me or my kids, but we can all work together to stay safe at school, on the bus, at the playground, etc.
Review rules and expectations ahead of time using whatever modality works for your child- talking about it, providing pictures, watching videos, etc.
Practice! Take your child to the playground. Practice playing on the equipment to increase familiarity and redirect them if they get too close to the perimeter.
Make sure your child has what they need to feel safe and comfortable- for example, fidget on the bus? Water bottle at school? Built-in breaks during class?
Communicate concerns or needs to your child’s teacher ahead of time.
And likely, the most important of all….
Teach your child to ask for help when they need it.
Help your child advocate for what they need. Practice this every day. At home, in the park, at bath time…identify and name your child’s feelings, offer support- including language models of HOW to ask for that support, and provide reassurance/encouragement when your child asks for help.
Any modality is PERFECT. Spoken words, sign language, pointing or reaching, head shaking, pictures, voice output device(s)- you name it. Allow your child to feel comfortable reaching out to others when they need help at any level.
If you’re thinking- “that’s great, but what about academic skills?”
Remember, your child WILL learn while at school. That’s what school is for!
The above mentioned skills are not usually in the curriculum, which is why it’s helpful to work on these foundational concepts at home. But if you’re feeling really ambitious ;-) try some of the following activities! Just remember, these activities should be adapted specifically for your child and their interests, and nothing needs to be fancy or expensive.
Read books with your child to build early literacy skills (think: rhyming words, phonemic awareness)
Play turn-taking games (practice waiting and following directions!)
Talk about colors and shapes during art activities (painting, coloring, stamping)
Go on scavenger hunts (build in language concepts and spatial terms)
Trace your body with sidewalk chalk (talk about anatomy, differences)
Cook together (easy way to work on those early math skills)
Collect and count items (e.g., solo socks in the laundry, loose coins)
Identify or “read” familiar road signs while driving in the car
If you and/or your child need additional support in these areas, reach out to a related professional! SLP, OT, counselors, teachers…they’re all here to help!
I hope everyone has a great start to the school year!