Top Tips for Transitioning Your Little Ones Back to School
As school supply lists are distributed and classroom teachers announced, many parents and guardians are beginning to think about the new school year.
Some may be a little nervous about how the transition from summer to school will go for their child, and we have a few simple tips that could help.
Set routines, but be flexible with the timeline.
Following routines for mealtimes and bedtimes that are in sync with your child’s upcoming school schedule is not new advice. We all know that getting their bodies adjusted to a new rhythm can make for a smoother transition to morning alarm clocks and scheduled meals. But there is no particular rule of thumb for when you should begin implementing the routine. Begin when it makes the most sense for your child. If they take a long time to get used to new things and fall into new patterns, begin about a week or two before the start of school. If they can easily switch gears, don’t rush it. They may just need two or three days to get used to the new rhythm.
Help them develop independence.
Being able to do things for oneself develops a sense of confidence and control that can mitigate nerves in any situation. This holds true for kids as they begin a new school year. You can help even the youngest children with their own independence by showing them how to take responsibility for themselves. Your two-year-old can decide which swimsuit to wear to the pool, whereas your six-year-old can pack their own pool bag. The littlest campers can choose the fruit they’d like to take in their lunch for camp, and older kids can be responsible for packing the entire healthy meal. The key is for parents and guardians to guide this process along the way.
Make it fun!
Have you ever felt like planning an activity was just as fun as the activity itself? The same can be true for school. From choosing a new lunch box to planning the first-day outfit, find out what excites your child and make those things celebratory. Bake a special treat together to pack for lunch, or decorate a folder they can use in the classroom. Talk about what makes school just as fun as summer, like being able to play on the playground every day and having a whole library of books to choose from. Whatever motivates your child, link those interests to anything school-related.
Remember, tears happen.
Back-to-school time is a transition for everyone––children, families, and even teachers! It is normal for your child to be nervous, sad, and even cranky. Acknowledging these feelings and providing comfort goes a long way. It’s tempting to try to talk a child out of their feelings or express dismay at negativity, but sometimes they just need to be seen. Let them know that you can sense they are upset and ask what would help. An extra hug? To play a game? Some space? Be accommodating to these needs and provide them the reassurance that everyone has those feelings and that they are only temporary.
Keep communicating.
If drop-off tears continue past the first few days of school, connect with the teacher to see how your child fares throughout the day. Most of the time, students are carefree as soon as they make it to the classroom, but parents and guardians only see a child in tears walking into the building. Keeping the lines of communication between home and school open can provide great relief if all is well or an opportunity to create a plan if a transition seems to be taking too long. Your child will not always be able to articulate what happens once they are at school, but their teachers and other school administrators are professionals who can partner with you to make sure they are thriving.
Preschoolers visited the middle/upper school garden to learn more about what is grown there and had the chance to transplant their own basil plants to take home!
Pablo Charriez '24 recently presented about redlining and discriminatory housing practices to 10th grade English classes who are studying the topic while reading Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun.
Kindergarten students traveled to the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and had a blast learning about the dryptosaurus (Delaware's dinosaur), seeing fossils, meeting a ball python, and more!
Earlier this week, International Baccalaureate and Advanced Science classes visited Incyte labs to speak with chemists and biologists and learn more about the drug development process. Thank you to Scott Larsen, parent of Emma '25, for arranging the presentations and tours.
Lower school students had the opportunity to meet with author Sarah Weeks, who has written more than 60 books for young readers including the best-selling novels, Pie, Save Me a Seat and So B. It, which is now a feature-length film. Our 5th grade students shared and got feedback on first lines and stories based on picture prompts and writing techniques.
Donovan Aldridge '18 and Jack Hanson '18, both currently living in Europe, recently met in Granada, Spain, where they joined the parents of WFS Spanish teacher Dario Robles for dinner in their home!
Last week, the WFS 10th grade visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. as part of their continuing study of American History.
Thank you for an incredible Quaker Game Night! This year's event was the largest and most successful yet, and we couldn't have done it without this amazing community.
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Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.