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by Tali Toland

Every child faces challenges with a new school year. Maybe it’s a new teacher, changing classes for the first time, or nerves about learning and remembering a locker combination. Whatever situation your child might be struggling with, the suggestions below can help calm anxieties and get the school year off to a positive start.

Challenge: A New Teacher

Solution: Develop a relationship with the teacher. Have a meeting with him or her as soon as possible. This will allow you to share your positive feelings about your child with the teacher and vice versa. Also, stay involved and volunteer when you can. This ongoing relationship will show you trust and like your child’s new teacher, making it easier for your child to feel the same way.

If your child is in elementary school, have him prepare a handmade card or pick flowers to bring on the first day as an icebreaker. This will be an easy excuse to introduce himself to his new teacher.

If your child is in middle school and will have multiple teachers, tell him to introduce himself to each new instructor as he enters the room. This way if he’s called on in class, it won’t be his first interaction with the teacher and will soothe his nerves.

Challenge: A New School

Solution: If possible, take your child on a tour of the new school about a week before school starts. This way your child will know where her classroom is, where the restrooms are, and how to navigate the hallways.
If you can’t physically walk through your child’s first day, do so verbally at home. Call the school and ask them what time your child’s class will do certain things so you can coach your child ahead of time. Visualizing the day will ease your child’s fears of her new surroundings.

Also, teach your child to be positive – a few lessons in relaxation techniques may come in handy if your child is still feeling anxious as the first day approaches. Deep breathing and telling herself “I can do this” are both good options.

Challenge: New Kids

Solution: Before school begins, get a list of new classmates from your child’s school. Once you see the list, you’ll probably recognize a name or two. This will give you a chance to invite kids over for a play date and give the parents a chance to connect – maybe even develop a carpool. Chances are other kids are feeling a bit nervous about not knowing kids in their new class, too.

Challenge: Homework

Solution: Be sure to make homework an important and consistent part of your child’s after-school ritual. Allow your child a little down time after arriving home. Take about 30 minutes to discuss his day and offer a healthy snack. Then have your child complete his homework before playing outside or watching TV. Getting your child into this habit early in the school year will prevent arguments later.

If there are certain subjects your child is struggling in, offer help with those homework assignments to prevent frustration and statements like “I hate math!” As your child gets older and you can’t help anymore, a tutor may be necessary.

Challenge: A Bully

Solution: We all know some kids can be mean, but if there’s a serious problem at your child’s school, you need to inform your child’s teacher and the principal. Together, you should develop a plan to make your child feel safe at school. Maybe that means the class pairs up in buddies when using the restroom or walking to lunch. Perhaps the teacher can talk to the class as a whole about how to treat others and what to do if someone is hurtful – this way your child isn’t singled out, but he will feel secure and will trust that something is being done. Your child needs to know that adults are there to protect him.

Challenge: Getting Lost

Solution: Set up a walk-through tour. This is especially important if your student will be walking all over campus to get from band to math and then to history on time. Schools are open a few weeks before the first day, so go by the school and grab a map from the front office. Then you and your child can walk through your child’s day, noting important destinations like the cafeteria, restrooms and library. Introduce yourself to teachers or other staff you may encounter – this will make your child feel more comfortable stopping to ask one of them for help on that first day.