As your family transitions back to "normal" life, it's important to remember that normal looks a bit different now, and that can be uncomfortable. Your child may also feel out of practice or unprepared to be back to school after so much time at home. Here is how you can help your child cope with these changes and have a successful year. 

Get Back in the Swing of Things

Tips to help your child get back into a successful school routine.

• Encourage Organization. It might be a little tough at first for your student to get used to his/her time being more structured again. Encourage your students to use a planner to record assignments, student, and appointments.
• Make sure your student practices good classroom and study habits. Encourage your child to participate in class discussions, use study time wisely, and keep personal conversations to a minimum during class. Your child has probably missed socializing with friends, but when in class, it's important that he/she stay focused on a task.
• Encourage Patience. Like you and your family, the entire school faculty has also gone through something very stressful. Be patient with your child and with the school as everyone gets back into the swing of things, and encourage your student to do the same. We're all in this together.

Monitor Mental Health

• In many ways, the pandemic was, and continues to be , a traumatic event for everyone. Be on the lookout for signs of anxiety and depression and help your student deal with lingering mental health concerns. Please reach out for support with any mental health needs.

Possible Signs of Anxiety and Depression

• Irritability and oppositional/defiant behavior
• Frequent physical ailments, such as headaches or stomachaches, especially if no medical cause is found
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Clinginess
• Loss of interest in school and social activities
• Simply not seeming like him/herself

Teach Breathing as a Calming Technique

• If your child is upset of feeling anxious, encourage him/her to take deeps breaths-breathe in, count to four, and breath out. Repeat. 

Talk About it. 

• Regularly check in with your child about his/her feelings. Your child may be reluctant to discuss what he/she is thinking or feeling, and that's okay. Initiate conversations, be available to listen, and make sure your child knows that you are there to help any way you can. 

Stay Healthy

Make sue that you and your child continue to do the following to stay healthy and safe:

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
• Stay home if you're feeling sick.