Season’s Help Children Understand It’s A Normal Progression To Change

Well here we are, beginning our transition back to school for another school year. Many parents who have kids with learning differences start to feel their children’s anxiety as the first day of school rapidly approaches. Some routine traditions I began with my daughter in elementary school helped ease this transition. Here are a few helpful suggestions: We would usually start talking about the schedule change mid August and discuss the teachers and routine that would begin at the end of the month. We would go out and buy a first day of school special outfit to prepare for that milestone. Along the way we would pick up some special school supplies, pens, pencils, and lunch boxes with a favorite caricature on them, a notebook to journal wishes for the year or some worries to ease the transition. We might read a book about changes. Season’s help children understand it’s a normal progression to change.

As the actual day moved closer I would look over the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and review the goals the team from the prior year had defined and evaluate based on strength, weaknesses and learning style. This would allow me time to introduce some goals for the year and ease any worries that might have carried over from last year.

A few days before school opened I would talk about the field trip we would take to tour the school and meet the teacher. This would end with a lunch date of my daughter’s choosing to celebrate back to school. This day was exciting as well as the first day of school. Teachers are getting their rooms ready and sometimes are available for a few minutes to get introduced to new students. I would take this time to introduce my daughter to the classroom and listen to the teacher explain what they were doing to get ready.

Once we completed the introductions I would introduce some goals stated in the IEP, remembering to touch upon strengths, weaknesses and any special concerns my child might have. We would then say goodbye and continue to tour the school.

Transitions are difficult in school so we would discuss lining up, lunch - looking over the cafeteria, the tables, kitchen, where to purchase milk and the door to go out to the play ground for recess. The tour would include the office, talking to the principal’s administrative assistant, the Nurses office and introduction to the school Nurse, gym, music room and art room. This was a very exciting tour as we discussed the changes in her day. We would end with playing outside on the playground and leave for our special lunch.

We still discuss the transitions and changes that will occur with the beginning of the school year. We take some time to get hair styled, new outfits for the first day and some special school supplies. Transitions can be difficult but with some thought they can be eased with planning, discussions and compassion. Enjoy this time it will be gone before you know it.