Supporting Your Child (and Yourself) for a Successful School Year
As we head back to school, there are many things parents can do to help create a smooth transition and set their child up for a successful school day. Here are a few things to consider:
Consistent and Smooth Morning Routines
Setting up the day right can work wonders and start your child off regulated and ready to learn.
Consider your own state of regulation. As parents. we have the ability to either co-regulate our child and set them up for a successful school day—or unintentionally dysregulate them as we rush stressed out the door. One thing you can do is remember your “true north”: What is most important in this moment? Align your internal compass with that goal.
When your child is becoming dysregulated, you can support them (and yourself) with heavy work, box breathing, mindfulness, and giving acceptable choices. These strategies can help everyone feel more regulated and ready to take on the day.
When Challenges Come Up: Think “Skill,” Not “Will”
When challenges come up during the school day, consider it is about “skill” rather than “will.” Children have a natural desire to learn and do well. However, when they are not equipped to navigate the demands of the school day, behaviors may pop up.
Consider your child's individual strengths and challenges. Do they have poor praxis and difficulty staying on task? Are they hyper-responsive to certain sensations in the environment, such as background noises or fluorescent lighting? Do they have decreased vestibular processing, making it difficult to maintain a “ready to learn” arousal level?
Think about your child's strengths and the tools they already have in their toolbelt. Encourage them, and collaboratively discuss what they can do to have greater success the next time they find themselves in a similar situation or are faced with a similar challenge.
we are here to support you
Remember, you are the expert in your child, and your child's teacher and therapist are here to support their success.
Ask your occupational therapist to provide a reference or tool for the teacher that is specific to your child. And when things are not going well, initiate a conversation. Open communication and collaboration can help everyone better understand what your child needs to be successful.