Smart Cookies: A Brief Guide for a Successful Start to the School Year – Part II

August 14, 2023

Here are some more tips to help support a successful start to the upcoming school year:

Coping Skills: School can sometimes be overwhelming, leading to emotional outbursts or anxiety. Help your child develop healthy emotional regulation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or engaging in hobbies they enjoy. By giving them tools to manage their emotions, they can cope better with any challenges they may face at school.

Create A Calming Corner: A quiet corner, or sensory corner, is a designated space designed to help children regulate their emotions and manage their feelings of stress, anxiety, or overwhelm. The primary purpose of a calming corner is to create a safe and peaceful environment where individuals can retreat to when they need a break or some time to relax and refocus.

• Comfortable seating: Soft cushions, bean bags, or cozy chairs are usually provided to create a comfortable and inviting space.
• Sensory tools: Items that engage the senses and promote relaxation, such as stress balls, fidget spinners, textured objects, or sensory bottles, might be included.
• Visual aids: Calming and soothing visuals like nature posters, tranquil scenes, or calming colors can contribute to the peaceful atmosphere.
• Breathing exercises: Sometimes, instructional visuals or guides for deep breathing exercises are placed in the corner to encourage individuals to practice mindful breathing.
• Books or calming activities: Calming corners often have books or activities related to mindfulness, meditation, or emotional regulation.
• Noise-cancelling or white noise machines: These can help drown out distracting sounds and create a more serene environment.
• Positive affirmations: Inspirational quotes or positive affirmations displayed on the wall can reinforce a sense of calm and self-empowerment.

More On Communication: Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers, school counselor, or other relevant staff members. Share any concerns or information that may impact your child’s social-emotional well-being. Working together ensures everyone is on the same page and can support your child.

Friends: Friendships are essential to a child’s social-emotional development. Encourage your child to reconnect with their friends before returning to school. Arrange playdates or virtual hangouts to reignite those social connections. This will help ease any social anxiety and build excitement for the upcoming school days.

Encourage Problem-Solving Skills: Help your child build problem-solving skills through role-playing activities. Identify potential challenges they might encounter at school and brainstorm effective solutions together. Empowering your child with problem-solving skills enhances their confidence and resilience in navigating social situations.

Create a Homework-Friendly Space: Set up a designated study area at home that is quiet and free from distractions. Having a dedicated space for homework can improve focus and productivity.

Parent Mental Health: A parent’s mental health and well being has an importance influence on a child’s mental health: the best way to support your child’s mental health is to ensure that the caregiver’s mental health is strong. Seek out supports for yourself as well as similar engage in similar self care skills like building and maintaining routines and schedules, engaging regularly with friends, speaking with trusted supports, etc.

Celebrate Achievements, Big and Small: Celebrate your child’s accomplishments, no matter how small. Nurture your child’s self-esteem by recognizing and praising their strengths, accomplishments, and efforts. A positive self-image boosts social confidence, motivation, and resilience, making it easier for them to navigate social interactions at school.

Remember, every child is unique, so adapt these strategies to suit your child’s needs and watch them soar!