Everyday Routines for A Stress-Free Transition Back to School
Summer is now over, so it is time to return to or begin school for the first time for some children. With the changes that the pandemic brought us in the last year, returning to on-campus school means that time needs to be taken to prepare for the transition back to school. With all of this in mind, it is essential to build effective routines that encompass all the activities required of our days.
Transitions are usually a cause of stress and anxiety for most of us. Whether these areas are as significant as moving, starting a new job, or even losing your job, transitions tend to cause a lot of stress. Starting school for the first time or even a new school year is no different. This read aims to provide some tips and perspectives on transitions for a more salient and hopefully less stressful-for-all transition into the new school year.
Preparation Saves Time
Many of us prefer to know what we need to get done to be productive and successful. We know what time we need to wake up for work, where we need to go for work, what is required of us to do at work, when we need to pick up the kids from school, etc. The when and where of our daily lives is something that we usually have set up beforehand to take advantage of the time and duties required to complete. The same concept can be applied anytime there is a new addition to our routines. "Where do I need to go?" and "At what time do I need to be there?" are two questions that, when answered, are essential to organize your day to its effectiveness. In simple terms, you can manage yourself around these tasks, such as knowing what time to wake up, leave the house, and where to commute to. When applied to that added routine of returning to or starting school, this same idea can help reduce the stressors from heavy traffic and extra commuting time, to name a few. When in this first stage of preparation for school, gathering all the information you need is the most crucial step. This can mean general details like who the teacher is, what materials are required, etc. Still, aside from this, it is vital to tailor your preparation to your child's specific needs.
Highly Consider:
Familiarizing your child with the classroom to relieve new and unknown environment anxieties
Show videos, pictures, or virtual tours (if possible) of the school and classroom.
Even movies/shows about school and classroom settings.
Contacting and meeting the teachers, even via email
Build that contact and communication so that they can be aware of your child's needs through you, and collaboration can occur to better serve the child.
Addressing special needs and concerns with teachers and school ahead of time
Sensory conditions, special diets, allergies, behavioral strategies, accommodations, medications, etc. all that is needed to make sure your child is as comfortable and safe as can be.
COVID related concerns
No matter where you stand regarding covid-related issues, it is crucial to know the school's guidelines and plans for when or if covid related matters arise throughout the school year
Practice wearing a mask at home to prepare for wearing one at school.
Socializing After Social Distancing
Most of us have recently spent a lot of time indoors. As a result, many of us have found that socializing, in general, has regressed in a way. Finding a social skills group is a great way to prepare your child to be around other kids most of the day in school thus hone in and improve their social skills. This maximizes their time in school as the stress and anxiety of social settings while also staying engaged and learning can bring. Many ABA companies offer social skills groups, ours included. These groups help your child practice and improve their social skills to prepare for being in the classroom. Social skills groups help children work on and improve communication with peers, sharing, turn-taking, and waiting, engaging in non-preferred versus highly preferred activities and games, following directions, losing tolerance, regulating emotions, making friends, and much more.
Set A Routine and Reduce Stress
We all know by now how helpful having a routine can be. We can manage our days better, get our tasks done, be efficient and effective, and reduce anxiety and stress by knowing what to expect and when to expect it. Taking control of our lives by establishing a daily routine to complete our tasks and attain our goals. This same idea applies to your child. It is a well-known fact that children thrive when there is a routine in place. In our world of ABA, we also know that consistency and repetition are essential to help our learners. In ABA, we use a visual schedule to help reduce problem behaviors from anxiety when transitioning.
A visual schedule is like a calendar. Where to jot down meetings, due dates, appointments, tasks, and all you need to organize to get things done on time, but in a kid-friendly version.
Daily Visual Schedule
How to:
1. You would need to write down everything that occurs in your child's day, from when they wake up until the time they go to sleep.
a. Include times for play, breaks, school, practice, appointments, homework, dinner, shower, leisure, medications, prayer, exercise, etc.
2. Then organize these by order of events beginning with the first event.
3. Depending on the age or preference of your child, you can print out images from google or take pictures yourself of what signifies each activity.
a. For example, for school, you can take a picture of their backpack or google their school and print out an image of it or print out a picture of a generic school; options are yours.
4. Next, on a board, Velcro the (laminated) images in the order of occurrence and place the board at the child's reach.
5. Then review this schedule with your child before beginning to implement it by going over each item and what it means.
a. Even if your child is non-verbal or very young, this is important to not surprise them with this schedule but to prepare them for it.
6. Bonus step: making the schedule with your child. They can help you choose, print, and cut out the images to place on the board.
a. The schedule can feel even more theirs and something they can be proud of, by being part of the process of making one.
how to implement:
1. When it is time to implement the use of the visual schedule, you and your child will walk up to it and go over what it says it is time to do.
Example: (brush teeth picture) "it's time to go brush your teeth".
2. Then have the child go perform said task at that time.
3. Afterward, return to the visual schedule and move the completed task's picture (brushing teeth) to the “completed” side.
4. Do this for each task until the schedule is finished, and the day is complete (i.e., the last picture; "go to bed").
1. Walk up to schedule to see what is next To Do
2. After performing the task, come back to move the icon completed to the Done side (and see what is next to do)
It is essential that you take the time to supervise your child in completing this as it will help teach your child the importance of a routine, organization, and responsibility. It can also aid in giving them more independence as they gain more practice each day from consistently following through with their tasks.
This means that you will also need to have a routine that includes your tasks and responsibilities and accounting for your child's tasks.
Reorganizing Your Schedule
Practicing this organizational skill with your child can help them maintain order in their required tasks. It can do the same for you, your peace of mind, and your mental health.
Aside from your regular daily routine, the more your child must complete in their day, the more you need to add to your schedule, which can become overwhelming, to say the least. Adjusting your routines to add your child's routine expectations can help you manage your day better.
So, what should we do?
Add to your already existing schedule the activities your child must do that require your attention. For example, activities such as homework, eating dinner, bathing, driving them to and from extracurriculars or outings, appointments, leisure, family time, etc. By adding these to your schedule, you can make sure that you are making time for them and thus not overbooking yourself or even missing out on them altogether. As silly as it may seem, printing out and completing a visual schedule for yourself can show your child the importance of it by having you model it to them. It can also be a way to bond over something you are doing together.
Calendar including personal and children’s tasks
Practice Builds Confidence
The most important note to take from all this is that a routine requires consistency, and consistency requires practice (or vice versa). To reduce the anxiety of the new and the unfamiliar, you must gather all the information necessary to prepare yourself and your child. To minimize stress and ensure that all your tasks are completed, you should plan for all with a schedule. Lastly, to maintain that schedule where everything gets done and everything is prepared for the best outcome possible, you must make a routine of having and following a planned schedule. By organizing yourself and your child's tasks, you can teach your child the importance of being prepared and organized for their lives now and in the future to reduce stress!
Johana Calvo