Leaving behind the carefree days of summer and heading back to the busy school schedule can be a very challenging transition for the sensitive child. Highly sensitive kids (HSCs) need time to adjust to change and a new routine. As a parent, it is important to begin implementing a plan at least a few weeks prior to the first day of school. In the post below, I will be giving you 7 strategies to help your sensitive child with the back to school transition.
Strategies for a Successful Start to the New School Year
Educate teachers and staff
You will need to educate your child’s new teacher on the term “high sensitivity,” ideally before the school year begins. You want to do your best to inform without overwhelming. Giving them a printable or two on high sensitivity and making them aware of how to best interact with your child is a great way to start the conversation. Make sure that you explain your child’s sensitivity in positive way. There are so many wonderful aspects to being highly sensitive and you want to be sure your teacher doesn’t view it as a negative “problem.”
If you are interested in getting more detailed instruction on how to educate the educators, receiving ready-to-print cheat sheets and an “All About My Child” template that you can edit for teachers, I provide all of this in my course, Making Sense of Sensitivity at School.
Play dates with classmates prior to the start of the school year
If your HSC has trouble socially at school, help him/her develop some friendships through one-on-one playdates/hangouts at your home. Invite children (one per playdate) who are going to be in your child’s class for the upcoming school year, so that they can develop/strengthen their friendships with classmates before school starts up. Knowing that your child has a few friends he/she is comfortable with in their class, will help them feel much more confident transitioning back to school.
PLAY DATE IDEAS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE CHILD
Get access to my play date idea printable as well as cheat sheets, checklists, and other valuable resources to help highly sensitive children when you sign up to receive my weekly newsletter
Get re-aquainted with the school environment
Talk to the principal, director or school psychologist at the school to set up a time to stop by with your child to see his/her new classroom a week or two before school starts. School staff will likely make accommodations for this if they know your child is highly sensitive and has trouble with transitions. A school visit a week or so before the start of school can take away a lot of the unknown and fear that may arise on that first day back.
If at all possible, you also want to set up a time to meet with your child’s new teacher for a few minutes prior to the start of school. This is a good opportunity for your child to warm up to their teacher a little bit and for you to give them any quick tips/printables about your child.
Earlier bedtime routine
Start getting back into the school bedtime routine a week or two before school starts. Gradually shifting to an earlier bedtime and wake up time gives their bodies time to adjust to the new schedule before the first day.
Take a test run
Practice the commute to school with your child. If they walk to school, make sure to walk that path with them a few times before school starts. Show them where they will be lining up or going in when they get there. If you drive your child, hop in the car and take a drive to school. Make it clear where pick up will be for this school year.
Are they taking a bus this year? While you can’t practice riding on the bus, you can familiarize your child with where the bus will pick them up and drop off each way, as well as the route it will likely take.
Prepare the night before
Get as much done as you can the night before, so your HSC can have a calm morning without rushing. Have your child pick out their outfit the night before. If it is new, make sure that they try it on beforehand to ensure that it is comfortable to them. This will hopefully eliminate any clothing meltdowns in the morning. Help them pack their backpack the night before too. You want to make sure that you can be present and calm for your child on the first day as well, so make lunches and snacks after the kids go to bed instead of in the morning.
Go over the “plan” for the day
HSCs like to know what to expect. It helps them feel more in control. Giving your child an outline of what the day will likely hold for them will be very helpful. See if you can get a loose schedule for the first day from the teacher.
Lastly, while going over the plan have a discussion with your child and validate any fears that they are having. Make sure that they understand how they are getting to school and who is picking them up, (if applicable) so that they are not worried about this during the day.
How will you help your sensitive child with the back to school transition?
You now have seven strategies in your parenting toolbox to help your sensitive child transition back to school. If implemented correctly, you can increase your child’s chances of having a positive start to the new school year. What strategy are you most excited about implementing? Have a tip of your own that works great for your sensitive child? Share it with me in the comments below.
If you want step-by-step instructions and printables to effectively educate staff about high sensitivity, and/or can answer yes to any of the following questions, my course, Making Sense of Sensitivity at School, may be just what you have been looking for.
Other resources on my blog that may be helpful to you:
The Power of Play Dates for Anxious and Sensitive Kids
10 Benefits of Being Highly Sensitive
Beginner’s Guide to Understanding High Sensitivity in Children
5 Myths About the Highly Sensitive Child
Resources for Parents of Highly Sensitive Children
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