Postitive Transition By Stephanie Jones, North York Region’s Home Management Consultant.

Q: How can I help my child make a positive transition back to school?

A: Whether your child is starting a new school or returning to his or her previous school, the best way to make a positive transition is to plan ahead.

For your child:

• If your child is transitioning into a new school or has had difficulties returning to school in the past, consider looking at pictures of the school, classroom and teacher with your child before school begins. In addition, you can call the school a week before it starts and request a tour. The idea is to make your child feel comfortable with the school environment and have a base understanding of what it will mean to attend school before school starts.
• Establish the school routine a week (or more) ahead. The routine should involve a set bedtime and wake up, typical school breakfast and lunch options as well as his or her after school routine. For academic preparation, consider adding 20 minutes of structured literacy or numeracy time in the evening. This could be reading together or playing a dice game. The idea is to try to make this time as close to a school day as possible.
• Check in with your neighbors and/or store owners, keep them posted on new routines and potential issues that may arise at school. When your close community is aware of your child’s strengths and needs, this is community safety at its best.
• Model calm and appropriate copying skills. If you don’t freak out, neither will your child.

For yourself:

• Introduce yourself to the school staff in person. It is so much easier to bring up issues over the phone or via print text over the year if you already have a relationship with the school staff.
• Remember that the first few weeks of school are rocky for all kids. Try to ride out concerns and see if your child settles in by the end of the month. On the other hand, if your child is having significant concerns at school, the best thing to do is to go in and observe. If you feel that a therapist might be needed, suggest this now. Don’t wait until November.
• Talk to other parents. Establish a network and learn on them when needed.
• Contact your local association pertaining to your child’s disability. These associations often have support groups and online chat groups of parents who are facing similar issues at school.

For more information on Ministry of Education protocols and documents, please visit http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/speced.html.