Remember being a kid and gearing up to return to your school year routine? Perhaps you stayed up late with butterflies in your stomach the night before school started anticipating all the fun you’d have that year. Or maybe you remember dreading school’s start and feeling overwhelmed by the social and classroom expectations that awaited you. Setting up young children for back-to-school season involves creating a supportive and nurturing environment that prepares them for the transition. Whether your child is returning to an early childhood education classroom or has reached school age, there are many ways parents can help their children develop essential skills and readiness for educational experiences. Here are some ways to set your child up for success:
- Tighten up your daily routine. Has your summer schedule caused your child’s day-to-day routine to shift? The more you can maintain a consistent daily routine at home now, the better your child will feel a sense of stability and predictability. Regular mealtimes, nap times, playtime, and bedtime are great ways to start.
- Encourage curiosity and exploration every day. Provide opportunities for your child to explore and discover the world around them through nature walks, museums, sensory play, reading together, and conversation that encourages them to ask lots of questions. Supporting their curiosity helps build a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
- Build children’s social muscles. Arrange playdates and opportunities for socializing with other children. Help your child practice sharing, taking turns, and using polite language. Developing social skills at a young age helps children feel more comfortable and confident when they eventually enter a school environment.
- Keep children moving to practice fine and gross motor skills. Try activities that promote the development of fine motor skills, such as drawing, painting, and playing with blocks. Similarly, encourage gross motor skills through activities like running, jumping, and playing with balls. These skills are essential for children’s physical and cognitive development and are a vital part of their experience within Maryvale’s early education program.
- Make learning an integrated, fun part of your child’s daily life. Playtime can be an opportunity to use counting games, shapes, colors, and letters to make learning fun and interactive. Simple activities like sorting objects by color or shape can help children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You might even create a specific area at home for play and learning. Fill it with age-appropriate toys, books, and craft materials.
- Encourage your child to do simple tasks independently, such as dressing themselves, putting away toys, or pouring a drink. Fostering independence helps build their self-confidence and prepares them for future responsibilities in a school setting.
- Be enthusiastic and optimistic about learning. Celebrate your child’s efforts and achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Praise their curiosity and eagerness to explore new things.
- Discuss your child’s attitudes about returning to school. This is particularly important for school-aged children, who face substantial risks if they develop fear and anxiety that creates an adverse association with school. Talking about school as a comfortable, special place will show kids that they have much to look forward to in the school year. As with all fear and anxiety issues, welcoming questions and permitting dialogue – even when you don’t have all the answers – is essential. Model firmness and strength in coping with uncertainty. If adults and authority figures are confused or fearful, children will likely pick up on these feelings and internalize them.
By setting up a nurturing and supportive environment, parents can help their young children develop the foundational skills, confidence, and love for learning that will serve them well as they transition into the formal school setting. The back-to-school season may be a source of joy or anxiety – the more you invest time and care into children’s healthy routines and attitudes toward learning, the better you will lay the groundwork for a successful educational journey. At Maryvale, our approach to early education considers a child’s entire experience, accounting for their physical and mental health throughout their learning journey. If you have a school-aged child suffering from severe anxiety, depression, or a lack of motivation, it may be time to offer them professional mental health support. Our community-based mental health program and youth services connect children and families with counselors and mental health practitioners to address a child’s whole experience and to set them up for long-term success.
