Back to School Basics

The first day of school is nerve racking for everyone – students and teachers alike!  Even after almost ten years of teaching I still get butterflies in my stomach on that first Tuesday after Labour Day.  Here are some dos and don’ts to help you and your child have an easy transition back to school:

• Do have a good sized backpack – large enough to fit in two snacks and various sized art projects.
• Do send in requested supplies — if none are requested just send in basics – if you are sending in a pencil sharpener make sure it has a cover – and your child has practiced using it.
• Do send in a healthy snack – as a parent my personal philosophy is that I might as well send fruits and veggies to school – where I’m not around to hear the complaints…I save the treats for situations that require an incentive, i.e. trips to the grocery store.
• Do show your child what is in their backpack – make sure they can identify the contents and tell them to return their reusable snack container to the backpack after recess.
• Don’t let your child see any anxiety you have about their classroom.  Regardless of your feelings about the class placement or teacher, your child needs to feel secure.  Keep in mind that most children are very adaptable and will learn what they need to learn despite the situation.
• Don’t make your child an exception to class or school rules: have them line up where they are supposed to, don’t walk into the classroom with them – even if they are especially nervous or clingy (it makes it harder on everyone), don’t show up early and leave them outside the classroom. 
• Don’t be late. This can be very stressful – for both the child and the teacher!
• Do return all the forms that get sent home promptly – remember teachers are just as overwhelmed by all the paperwork as you are (multiplied by 25!)
• Do give everyone several (at least six) weeks to adjust to the new classroom – the students and teacher all have to get to know each other and learn the new routines. 
• Don’t sweat the small stuff – leave the details of the classroom to the teacher (i.e. who your child sits beside, etc). Sometimes issues outside of school never surface within the classroom; of course if there is an unusual situation (like a past history of bullying) you should inform the teacher.
• Do encourage your child to ask questions if unsure – discuss going to the bathroom — if it is urgent they need to tell their teacher.
• Finally, do have faith that most teachers want nothing more than to provide a positive learning experience for every student!

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Sue

Sue, urbanmoms.ca’s Education Expert, is a mother of 3 and a teacher for more than 10 years. Her experience in the classroom and as a mother provide a great perspective to help teachers and parents open up the lines of communication. Sue will be a regular contributor to the Urban Parents section of urbanmoms.ca.