6 Dec 2024

Tips from a Psych: Starting the School Year (as a Parent)

It’s that time of year again. You remember it from when you were back at school, right? The nerves, the excitement… or perhaps it was dread. The beginning of the school year can be really tough. If you’re a parent, then you’re guiding your child through those murky waters.  

Read on for some tips on how you can assist your little one in preparing for: 

  • Starting school  
  • Starting a new school year 
  • Starting with a new teacher 
  • Starting at a new school… 
  • Really, starting something new in general!  

Create a ‘Cheat Sheet’ 

A Cheat Sheet a one-page document that you can give to your child’s teacher before they get into the classroom together. This option is especially helpful for families with kids who have specific needs, because it communicates key information about what your child’s uniqueness ‘looks like’ in a simple way.  

Because your child is the expert in themselves, it’s important for them to take a lead role in creating their own sheet. 

Categories on your sheet could include: 

  • Strengths 
  • Interests/passions (the topics that make them light up) 
  • Specific challenges at school 
  • Specific dislikes (relevant to the teacher)  
  • If there is a diagnosis or disability you can include “What their __ looks like” (example: what Buggs Bunny’s ADHD looks like) 
  • Hopes for the year 

Role Play and Rehearse 

A great way of supporting children in doing new things is to role play and practice with them in advance. This includes practicing things like: 

  • Getting ready for school (putting on their uniform, putting things in their bag) 
  • Responding to the sound that your school uses to signal transitions like lunch 
  • Sitting down to eat with a lunch box until a teacher gives an instruction
  • The beginning of the school day (saying goodbye, putting their bag away)  

 

Use Lots of Visuals 

Another way of helping kids with school transitions is to use lots of visuals at home. You can put pictures of important people/places in common areas of the house and talk about them regularly. You can also work together to create a social story, which are wonderful and engaging ways of preparing kids for change/transitions. If your child is feeling particularly nervous, it might help to give them insight into what/where they will be going to school (e.g., drive by a new school often, or visit their new classroom before school starts) 

 

Sleep! 

Plain and simple – we all need it. Did you know that school aged child (6 – 13 years) need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep at a minimum (and the younger they are, the more they need)?  

Without adequate sleep, the brain’s functions are interrupted. If your young one isn’t supported in getting the sleep that their growing brain needs, school is going to be that much harder for them.  

As important as sleep is, it is also really common for kids to have challenges with sleep. Never fear. If your child is struggling with sleep, there are all sorts of places you can go to for support. You can speak to your GP or engage services from a psychologist (or other health professional). And within your family, a great resource you can look at is the book What do to when you Dread your Bed by Dawn Huebner.

 

How to Access a Psychologist at CQ Psych Services:

  • Contact us directly by calling 07 4972 6929 or email admin@cqpsychservices.com.au
  • Ask your GP or health professional to refer you to our clinic.
  • Come in and see our friendly staff at Shop 1 & 2, 13 Tank Street, Gladstone QLD 4680.
  • Visit our website and complete a ‘Request an Appointment’ form and one of our friendly staff will reply to your enquiry. Website: https://cqpsychservices.com.au/

Author: Kelsie Realf

Psychologist