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Community Corner

Don't Forget To Bring An Apple For The Teacher

How to make sure the "big" day is a good one and not a big disaster.

Q: School is starting soon. Do you have any advice to help make the return to school go smoothly?

A: The first day of school is exciting, and stressful, for kids of all ages…and mom and dad, too!

We’re all perusing the Sunday flyers for good deals on No. 2 pencils and making the obligatory trip to the mall for new shoes that fit, but getting ready for school goes beyond getting the right “stuff.”

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Be positive to help set an upbeat tone about going back to school. This is the beginning of a new adventure, new things to learn about, new friends to meet and fun new experiences.

Educator John Rosemond wrote an interesting column a couple of weeks ago. It was about a toddler who was having separation anxiety when she was dropped off at the sitter’s, etc., despite the mom’s considerable efforts to prepare her for going somewhere. He said to be sure not to make too much of it ahead of time; that the more you try to talk about an upcoming situation and reassure the child, the more likely you are to actually convey anxiety.

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This idea makes a lot of sense to me. I think it’s important to pay attention to how we address any fears or stress our children show so we help them work it out without inadvertently adding to the problem.

But the first day of school is certainly worthy of a little hoopla, too!

Let your child participate in the preparation—let him pick out his new backpack, for example, or help her put together the perfect first day outfit.

Now is a good time to set up some play dates with other children who will be in your child’s class, especially if your child hasn’t had much contact with friends from school over the summer or if his or her “best” friends will be in other classes. It’s easier to walk into a room with some familiar faces on the first day.

At least a few days before, maybe even a week, ease into the new routine. Start going to bed at the right time, presumably earlier than it’s been all summer. And get up at the new time. I’d put money on the fact that it’s earlier. Adjust dinner time, pick out tomorrow’s outfit before going to bed, do all of those kinds of things to get back into the routine.

If you can, stop by for a quick visit to the school the week before school starts. Show him where his classroom is and give him a chance to refamiliarize himself with the halls. If it’s a new school, or the first school for your child, at least drive by to point out the building or stop to play in the playground.

I asked a good friend and elementary school teacher for her top tips:

• Don’t dilly dally at drop-off. If you walk your child to school and/or into his classroom, say your goodbyes and get out fast. It makes it much easier for everyone. She loves the bus for this exact reason.

• Have your child help make his lunch. She said that she frequently is approached by students who find something they don’t like in their lunch box and want something else from her.

• Taking the time to make your child’s lunch together accomplishes a few things. First, they’re learning independence. Even a kindergartener can pack up a baggie of pretzels or pick a piece of fruit. (And buying the big bags and then some baggies is certainly more cost-effective than all of the super convenient prepackaged individual portion sizes of things.)

They are also buying into the contents of the lunch box and will be more likely to eat it.

And it’ll give you a dedicated time every day to take a few minutes to touch base, discuss any problems your child may have had during the day or plot out strategies for dealing with issues they’re facing. Children are much more likely to open up and talk when they’re engaged in another activity and the conversation comes naturally than when you’re having a formal sit-down.

And a final tip: remember that your child’s teacher’s supply cabinet will start to run dry around January. Everyone is bringing in extra stuff now. If you have room, buy some extra supplies (tissues, hand sanitizer, pencils, glue, etc.) and put them away until then. You’ll be a hero.

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