Back to School Preparation for Your Child!

Summer fun is coming to an end and it’s time to start thinking about getting into old routines and back to school preparation. If you are like me and have a child starting Kindergarten, there is not only our own anxiety to manage but we also want to be able to reduce the anxiety of our children by better preparing them on what to expect.   If you have children who are going back to school the following tips can also help in preparing them for the new school year!
Talk it Up: As school approaches, talk about how much fun it will be to meet new friends and a new teacher.  Remind them of all the good things they liked prior to leaving school.  Encourage your child to talk about how they feel about starting school.  Find books or social stories that can explain the feelings of first day anxiety and that are fun and easy to read.  Get your child excited with positive talk! Incorporate siblings when you can to add to the positive discussion.
Early to rise: All summer long it’s been late to bed and lazy mornings! Lack of sleep makes it hard for any child to be productive at school.  If your child already experiences sluggish mornings or needs more time to complete morning routines this will be a crucial routine to get intact prior to the start of school.  Call for a family meeting and re-establish bed times and routines.  Set up fun goals for all siblings for completing their routine on time.  Set alarms and reminders!
Mark the Calendar: Get out a fun calendar and mark the first day of school.  You can do this for winter break also!  This way your child understands when the first day begins and can start talking about any fears leading up to the day.
Back to School Gear:  What person doesn’t have fond memories of back to school shopping?  Take your child with you to get a new backpack, lunch pail and clothing of their choice when possible!  Get them excited to use their new supplies and personalize them with pics of the family to make it extra special.
I hope these tips help you and your family. ALP wishes you and your family a safe and fun month back at school.  We are looking forward to seeing you and your families and hearing about your child’s continued success!
For further information or to start services, please call: 888-805-0759,  visit our website at www.autismlearningpartners.com or e-mail CLopez@autismlearningpartners.com.
Autism Learning Partners strives to give hope, support and paths of progress for children and their families living with Autism and related disorders.  It is our mission to provide quality Autism Services across North L.A.