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: Back to or starting a new school: Helping
make it easier
DEAR DR.PAUL: Our five-year-old son is starting school
this fall and his older brother is going to begin grade three.
They are both excited yet quite anxious. What can we do to help
them get started off right?
PEDIATRICIAN DR.PAUL ANSWERS: I was just reading a
recent survey asking kids what stresses them the most. More
than 80 per cent said school was the major source of stress
in their life. As a pediatrician and a parent, this does not
surprise me. My own kids, and many of my young patients, seem
to always complain about school or be stressed by school-related
problems.
The two major types of stresses are social (bullies, difficulties
making friends, missing home, etc.) and academic (difficulties
in doing the work or problems with a specific subject).
I'm sure that most parents agree that when we were in school
things seemed less complicated and less stressful. However,
we have to face this present-day reality and offer our children
as much love and support through their school years. This is
important at the beginning of the school year, particularly
if your children are attending a new school for the first time.
Here are some tips that may help parents make going to school
easier for their children:
- Remind your child that he is not alone in feeling anxious
during the first day of school.
- Before school starts, ensure that all the logistics, and
paper work has been done in order to avoid any confusion and
extra stress during the first day of school.
- Going to school with a friend from the neighborhood may
help.
- When appropriate, perhaps you can drive or walk your child
to school and pick her up on the first day.
- Make sure you know lunch and snack times and rules. For
example: does your child have to buy her lunch? Is the school
peanut and nut free?
- Make sure that your child has had his annual medical check
up including vision. screening. Make sure that you make the
proper arrangements with school authorities if your child
needs to take medication at school.
- If your child has any allergies (especially food allergies)
make sure that the school is aware of them, and is prepared
for any allergic reactions.
When your child is starting the year at a new school, parents
should recognize that their child might need extra support. Talk
to your child about his thoughts and fears about the new school.
It's also a good idea to visit the school with your child before
school begins. Looking into the new classroom and meeting the
new teacher in advance (and principal) will help make the first
official day of school easier. Also, if possible, meeting a new
classmate or two before school starts is also a good idea.
By recognizing that school is stressful to most children, parents
can continually support their children and keep an open dialogue
on any school-related issue with their child. Knowing, that we,
as parents are on their side, is reassuring to our children. On
a final note, what I find works well is that children are reassured
when they discover that their parents went through school and
survived! It's always a good idea to share your school experiences
with them too! |
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The information provided in this site is
designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to
replace the advice and care of your child's physician, nor is
it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If
you suspect that your child has a medical condition, always
consult a physician.
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