The first week of school is right around the corner, which can bring about lots of feelings. Some kids are excited for the next grade, others could use a few more months of freedom. Parents, on the other hand, naturally worry about their children’s first week back. Will they like their teachers? Will my kids get their required accommodations? What if they don’t have any friends in their classes? What if they can’t keep up?Â
First, take a breath. Kids are often more adaptable than we think. The first few days are typically the hardest, then things settle down. Next, consider these 5 tips to help both you and your child have a successful first week back to school.
1) Know the schedule as soon as you can.
Having a copy of the school calendars can put you ahead of planning. The general school year calendars (including starting day, holidays, PD days, etc) are already uploaded. Click here for Edmonton public schools, and here for Edmonton catholic schools.Â
Furthermore, having the class schedules as soon as possible is also a good idea. They tend to come out late August, so keep an eye on school websites. This way, if your child requires a class change, or just benefits from preparing ahead of time, it’s ready to go by the first week.
2) Walk them through a typical day.
If your child struggles with changes in routine, or uncertain schedules, it can be helpful to take some time and walk through a typical school day. You can act it out, discuss what class change might look like, warn them about bells, and so on. If there’s a chance to see the school beforehand, give your kiddo a quick tour, or even just show them the easiest door to get through.
3) Prep accommodations early.
Accommodations ensure everybody has equitable access to education. School administrations are often flooded with requests during the first few weeks back at school. The more organized a student is, the easier it will be to get their accommodations in place. Ensure you have the proper paperwork ready to go, which typically involves medical documents.
Additionally, the first week back can be a bit smoother if you discuss how to self-advocate. Talk about what your child might say if they need a break or have another need, such as sensory aids.
Quick tip: At Learnology, we can provide guidance during this process. Our experts know the system, documents required, and can suggest accommodations for your child’s learning style.
4) Have school supplies ready, organized, and in bulk.
The more prepared your child feels walking into school, the less anxious they’re going to be. Make a dollarama trip and pick up all necessary school supplies. Always grab extras to keep at home. Pencils and erasers inevitably go missing, and this saves you a trip down the road. Ask your children to organize their supplies in advance too – this means out of the packages and into the pencil cases and binders.
5) Review classroom etiquette.
After summer break, some kids need a reminder of what it means to be respectful in the classroom. Depending on their age, you may talk about:
- What listening looks like
- Fidget aids vs distracting toys
- Inside voice and outside voiceÂ
- When it’s okay to use your phone, and when it’s not
- Raise your hand when asking a question
- How to politely ask for feedbackÂ
The start of the year can be an exciting, albeit stressful, time. No matter what grade you or your child are starting, Learnology can help with back-to-school transitions and ongoing support.
For more information about academic assessments, study methods, and tutoring, contact us here or call us at 780-700-7877.