Published: August 10, 2008 01:34 am            

New school year can be stress-free with a little preparation

Between the long list of school supplies, fights over clothing choices and shorter days, the weeks before school starts can be a parents equivalent of hazing.

It can be even tougher for children starting a new school year — whether it’s the first day of pre-school or high school.

“Getting ready for school is an event that parents and children face with mixed emotions — a sense of excitement about children’s development and new experiences to come; a sense of loss because our children are growing up; perhaps apprehension because we will not be there to protect them,” said Cathy Beard, family support specialist with Indiana University’s Early Childhood Center.

“Planning for that transition will help restore a measure of control, and will alleviate some of the anxiety” for everyone, she said.

Mom-of-two Alexis Cordoza said she learned things the hard way when her oldest son started school. “He had been excited about it for weeks, it was all he talked about it, going to school like his cousins,” right up until the first day of school. “It was awful. He cried and cried, I cried. I almost didn’t take him.”

After a rough first week, the kindergartner adjusted well. Bt the time, her younger son was ready to start school, the New Albany mom had learned that preparing for school meant a lot more than school shopping and behavior reminders.

The first place to start may simply be asking about your child’s concerns, according to Michelle Day, director of elementary education for New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated Schools.

You might find out your child has a very specific worry you hadn’t thought about — like when he’ll be allowed to use the bathroom, she said. “Reassure him there’s a bathroom at school, and he can use it whenever he needs to.”

Planning for a new school year doesn’t just mean focusing on younger children, though, Floyd Central High School teacher Julie Hanen said.

“The first week of (high) school, they’re going to have to get to know seven new teachers, who will all require certain supplies and other requirements. It can be overwhelming,” said Hanen, who added that unlike elementary and middle school classes, most high school students’ supplies can’t be purchased until after school begins.

Parents can help by being prepared for their high schooler’s response to new teachers, maybe having no friends in new classes and spending the first week of school buying supplies.

Within the first few weeks of the school year, schools also host open houses, giving parents and students an opportunity to address any questions, Hanen said.





Here are 10 additional tips for a stress-free start to the school year:

• Build up the big day. “Always talk about school in a positive way,” Beard said. Reading books about going to school and making new friends, circling the date on the calendar, and planning a special family outing to celebrate going to school can help build enthusiasm.

• Practice, practice, practice. Beard suggests taking a bus ride and talking about bus rules, visiting the new school and playing on the grounds, carrying a backpack with a book or two inside, and packing lunchbox picnics.

• Assess self-help skills. Things like putting on and taking off outerwear, tying shoes and using table manners are essential skills for an independent school day, Beard said. Also make sure your child has experience using public restrooms.

• Establish a sleep schedule you can follow during the school year.

• On the morning of the big day, leave enough time for a relaxed breakfast, Day suggest. Racing around stresses everybody, she said.

• Visit the classroom. It is important that parents form relationships with teachers.

• Ask about your child’s concerns. Find out if your child has a specific worry about school. If he does, talk it out.

• Remind him that you (along with his room, his stuffed animals and toys) will be waiting for him at the end of the day.

• Get ready the night before. Get your child into a routine of laying out clothes, arranging supplies and packing lunch.

• Don’t linger when you drop your child off. Day said, “Her teacher is trained to deal with first-day jitters. Give a quick hug and go.”

        

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