Going back to school is an exciting time, but it can also be filled with a lot of anxiety when you have a child with a disability. Worrying about their comfort, wondering about their safety, and having to deal with feelings of guilt are all normal emotions when preparing to go back to school. When you pile on having to deal with scheduling, homework and driving, it can become very stressful. Instead of losing your cool, remember these 10 tips to help make going back to school a more relaxed and enjoyable time.
1) Have a Schedule - One of the best ways to keep anxiety at bay is to stay organized. Have a schedule of you and your child’s daily routines and activities for each day. Make sure you have a schedule of the days and times of their classes at school, and if they have any extracurricular activities. Keep the schedule posted in a place where all members of the family can view it.
2) Learn how your child learns -Before your child begins school help them out by learning how best they comprehend things. Everyone has a learning style whether it be visual or hands on, so figure out which category your child falls into. By figuring this out you have the best opportunity for setting your child up for an easier transition into the classroom. Remember it is not your job to ‘cure’ them. Instead set them up with emotional, intellectual and social tools, that will help them succeed with their disability in the classroom.
3) Speak to teachers and faculty beforehand - To prepare for going back to school set up a meeting and talk with the principle and your child’s teacher. Let them know about your son or daughters disability, as well as what kind of habits they have and what learning style is best for them. Let them get a feel for who your kid is, so they can also prepare themselves. If you work in partnership with their teacher things will run more smoothly altogether. Remember their teacher wants to help make it a good year for your child, not hinder their progress.
4) Visit the school - It’s also a good idea if your child meets their teacher beforehand. Bring them to visit the school and their teacher before classes start. By letting them become familiar with their future surroundings, it will make the transition back into the classroom a lot smoother. It will also help them feel more comfortable and less bombarded with all the new changes to their daily routine.
5) Prepare the night before - Make sure you have everything set and ready to go the next morning. Make sure homework is done, clothes are set out and pack their lunches and school bag the night before. By doing this you’ll save a lot of time in the morning.
6) Follow a ‘first’ and ‘then’ rule - When you set up a ‘first’ and ‘then’ rule it will help you teach your child how to prioritize. This is when you have a rule that ‘first’ you get done what needs to be done, like homework. ‘Then’ you do what you want to do, like watch a movie. By making this a rule in your home, it will help them understand and succeed in the classroom. Where the tasks need to get done before the kids can play.
7) Leave time for delay - Make sure you leave a gap or leeway in the morning. If a situation arises such as a temper tantrum, something is misplaced or an unexpected mishap, leave enough time in the morning to deal with this. By leaving room for the unexpected you set yourself up so that you have enough leeway that your whole day won’t be disrupted or thrown into chaos.
8) Speak to your kids - To get them ready for back to school talk to them. Talk to them about what they like and don’t like. About their schoolwork, if they’re understanding it or finding something difficult. Ask them about their peers, if they are making friends or having bulling issues. By staying involved and opening communication, you’re aware of what’s going on in there life.
9) Get a good night sleep - Make sure as part of your routine you set up a scheduled time to be in bed by. Getting a good night sleep will help your child think better and be happier the next day at school.
10) Take a breather - No matter how much you prepare or organize, you will still get stressed out and aggravated from time to time. Remember that this is completely normal. When you do feel like this, stop, take a breath, and remember to start back at rule number one.
