Back to School Tip #6

It’s that time again.  Summer is winding down and school is almost back in session.  Whether they’ve been away for the entire summer or only a week or two, it can be hard for your little ones -and for you- to readjust to the school year.  Most Pine Village locations open on September 6.  We’ll be posting one tip here every day until then to help get you and yours ready to go.

Today's Tip: Relax! You've got this!

•  Tomorrow is the first day of school for many of our readers!  Congratulations!  You are pretty much all set to go.
• Ensure that you have any and all required paperwork filled out and by the door.  If you haven't prepared lunch and/or snack yet, consider doing it tonight.  This reduces the number of things you have to worry about before getting out the door.
• Young children should also have diapers, wipes, and changes of clothes as needed.  Review information from your school to see if there is anything else you might want to bring.  Make sure everything is in a bag, and then...
• That's it!  Now sit back, relax, and know that tomorrow will be great.  Congratulations, again on a job well done!

Back to School Tip #5

It’s that time again.  Summer is winding down and school is almost back in session.  Whether they’ve been away for the entire summer or only a week or two, it can be hard for your little ones -and for you- to readjust to the school year.  Most Pine Village locations open on September 6.  We’ll be posting one tip here every day until then to help get you and yours ready to go.

Today's Tip: Prepare yourself to prepare your child

• Many parents and caregivers tell their child that they will miss them on the first day, but make sure that isn’t the only message you are sending.  Make sure that positives get emphasized.  Try saying something like “Aren’t you excited to start school?  I will miss you while you are there, but I am so proud of you.  You are really growing up!”  Your child should feel strong and confident the first day.  They will certainly miss you, but they should know that they can and will enjoy school too.  
• Decide upon your “good-bye routine” in advance so that your child will know what to expect. Some parents and caregivers use 2 kisses to signal that it is time to part for the day.  Don’t rush out the door, but don’t linger too long in the classroom either.  A calm, orderly exit communicates to your child that you trust their teacher and feel confident in your child’s abilities to enjoy a day at school without you.  If you need to cry, that’s ok!  Just do your best to wait until you are out of your child’s sight-line.  Most directors and principals are well equipped to ease the transition to school for grown-ups as well as children.  Know that you are not the first to have this reaction and you won’t be the last.  It’s much more common than most people think.  We included it in this blog post, didn’t we?  Take advantage of the resources available to you at your child’s school to give yourself time and space to express your own emotions
• We said it here yesterday, but we are going to say it again today, if you aren’t conflicted or sad, that’s fine too!  However you feel on your child’s first day is a perfectly ok way to feel.  

Thanks for reading!  Stay tuned tomorrow for our last and final back to school tip of the year!

Back to School Tip #4

It’s that time again.  Summer is winding down and school is almost back in session.  Whether they’ve been away for the entire summer or only a week or two, it can be hard for your little ones -and for you- to readjust to the school year.  Most Pine Village locations open on September 6.  We’ll be posting one tip here every day until then to help get you and yours ready to go.

Today's Tip: Give yourself permission to be conflicted.

• It is natural for a parent or close caregiver to have mixed emotions about a child going to school.  You will likely feel sad, happy, proud, and scared all at once, especially if your child has not spent time in this type of setting before.  Give yourself permission to feel these things, and find other adults to talk to about your experiences.   
• Some parents and caregivers have a difficult time dropping their child off on the first day.  Plan a calming activity for that morning, so that you have somewhere soothing to go to when you leave the school.  Even if you have to rush right to work, try to plan time for a short walk or a brief cup of coffee or tea, either on your own or with someone you feel comfortable being open and honest with about your feelings. 
• And if you don't feel conflicted? That's ok too! Everyone is different and will react to this day differently. Whatever you feel is perfectly fine. There is never "one right way to feel" about anything.

Stay tuned tomorrow for tips on preparing your self for the actual drop-off.

Back to School Tip #3

It’s that time again.  Summer is winding down and school is almost back in session.  Whether they’ve been away for the entire summer or only a week or two, it can be hard for your little ones -and for you- to readjust to the school year.  Most Pine Village locations open on September 6.  We’ll be posting one tip here every day until then to help get you and yours ready to go.

Today's tip: Talking about school to a child who has never been before

• If your child has never been to school, talk about what he can expect.  Emphasize that his  teacher will take care of him until you (or whichever other familiar caregiver) can pick them up.   
• Emphasize the parts of school that will be familiar, or "what is the same" as what she does at home.  “You will have lunch at school, just like we have lunch at home.  You will sing songs at school, just like we sing songs at home!” Talk briefly about what will be different, but remind your child that this is something she CAN do.

Stay tuned tomorrow when we will bring you tips on managing your own emotions about your child going back to school or going for the first time.