Big Feelings about Back to School

Going back to school can bring up a lot of emotions for kids… excitement, nerves, fear.. all of the above. 

This year will be particularly interesting for my kids. They have been out of school since April and have gotten used to lazy mornings, hot lunches at home and... well… lots of screen time. It’s been a long time since we have been caught up in the school routine. The very thought of mobilizing the kids to put on actual presentable clothing in the morning seems out of reach! 

My youngest is very nervous to go back. She is pretty reserved most of the time, she retreats in social situations and she has expressed her fears about going to a new class with a new teacher. 

I know she isn't alone in her reservations.  The last school year was filled with so many disruptions to children's learning amidst the school closures as they rode the waves of COVID-19. As a result kids are entering in-person learning less confident this year.  Kids are experiencing: 

  • social anxiety having not been around groups of their peers for months
  • separation anxiety from parents, especially for the younger kiddos
  • continued fear of the transmission on COVID-19 at school
  • worries about not being up to grade-level

We’ve been repeating these affirmations each day to help build her confidence gearing up to that exciting/nerve wracking/happy/sad first day of school. 

  1. Today is going to be a good day
  2. I believe in myself
  3. I am excited to learn something new
  4. I like my friends, and I am ready to make new friends, too
  5. I am brave

As kids repeat these affirmations they will begin to connect a positive feeling with them and the sooner your kids will start to believe the statements. This is where the magic happens and you will start to notice a positive change in your child's thought patterns. 

When we teach kids how to use affirmations, we are giving them a valuable strategy they can use to help control their mindset, even if they can not control their circumstances.