We are still in the early first few months of the school year, so those back-to-school jitters may still be present in students. It can be hard for young students to adjust to new schedules, busier days, new classmates, new teachers, etc. What can you do as a parent to help ease your child’s stress and relieve their worries?
Identify the Signs
Stress makes itself known in a number of ways, but many children are unsure of how to vocalize the source of their stress. Look out for common warning signs like stomach aches, difficulty sleeping, headaches, and negative behavioral changes. Talk with your child about what may be bothering them or have them write it down.
Listen Intently
If your child tends to complain a lot about school, really pay attention to the things they are saying. Does it sound like their teacher does not quite understand their needs? Is there a student in the class that they don’t get along with? Is their schedule overwhelming them? There are many different things that could be troubling their young minds, but listening is the first step.
Bedtime
We may not realize it, but our children need more sleep than we probably think they do. Those in kindergarten up to third grade may need up to 12 hours per night. Identify factors that may be distracting from your child’s nightly sleep, like a busy schedule or using technology late at night.
Reach Out
Respectfully ask a trusted teacher for their take on what may be going on. If your child is spending an excessive amount of time on their assignments at home, ask their teacher if it should be taking this amount of time to complete. They can then recommend what your child should or shouldn’t be focusing on to be more productive and efficient.
Family Calendar
Keep everyone’s head on straight by displaying a calendar for the whole family to see. Parents can keep track of the things they need to do, while kids can see when they have dance classes or soccer practice. Make it kid-friendly by using colors or stickers for certain activities. Whiteboards are a big help!
When you can get to the bottom of your child’s stress, you can learn how best to help them and how to recognize the signs. Remember that your child needs time for themselves too, so set aside time each day to unwind either before or after the hustle and bustle of your busy schedules begin.
Walton Academy
Walton Academy is a private school located in Greenville, North Carolina. We are always striving to provide a consistent, nurturing and innovative environment for our students. We understand that early childhood education plays a large role in your child’s development, so we ensure they receive a high-quality education. With small classrooms and highly qualified teachers, you can be sure your child will receive individualized instruction, character education, and social-emotional habits.
Walton Academy firmly believes that an environment with minimal distractions is key to student success. To achieve an optimal learning environment and experience, we require each child to undergo our enrollment screening process. During our enrollment screening process, students are observed and assessed academically, behaviorally, and socially. Our enrollment screening ensures that our classroom environment remains focused and that each student can excel and reach their full potential. Contact us today to learn more!