The start of the school year brings excitement and lots of new routines. Here are some expert tips to help your child feel confident and supported, whether they’re seasoned elementary students or just beginning their classroom journey.
For kids returning to elementary school:
- Use Visual Schedules. You can use pictures, written steps or symbols to create a visual layout of the typical school day to help reduce stress about the unfamiliar. You can even create different versions for days that include extracurricular activities.
- Communicate with Teachers. Give your child’s teachers a printout that includes their strengths, sensory needs and triggers, and special interests. This can help foster connection from the get-go.
- Have Sensory Tools Ready. Most schools welcome sensory-friendly supplies in the classroom, like fidget tools, so pack a few in your child’s backpack and rotate them every few days. You can also opt for seamless or tagless clothing to help prevent distraction and discomfort, provide noise-canceling headphones for the bus or recess, or create a ‘home zone’ in a quiet corner of your house for decompression after a long day of learning.
For kids just starting school:
- Prepare for Sensory Overload. Kindergarten classrooms (and all classrooms for that matter) can be an overwhelming place for new students. Talk with your school and care team to get sensory-friendly support lined up, like designated calm-down corners and sensory breaks during the day.
- Use Visual Schedules. These also work great to help little ones adjust to new schedules. Using pictures, simple written steps or symbols, you can create a visual layout of the school day to help reduce stress. Adding photos of friends or familiar objects your child will recognize can also help, like the neighbor who’s in the same class or a similar-looking play kitchen you have at home.
- Connect with the Teachers. Having good communication with your child’s teachers is a win-win. It helps you understand how your child is adjusting in the classroom while giving the teachers insight into techniques that work for your child. And by building a positive rapport with their teachers, you can create a strong team that supports your child’s growth and learning.
Every child adjusts to a new school year at their own pace, and these small, thoughtful preparations can make a big difference in their day-to-day comfort, confidence and success.
