Helping parents transition back to school!

Back-to-school events, tips, and vaccine quiz.

Source CDC

The start of a new school year can mean going back to early care and education (ECE) programs or school after a long break, or attending a program for the first time. A new start often means lots of changes, new routines, and meeting new people. Young children are often wary of strangers and want to stay close to their parents and other familiar and trusted caregivers. Until they are old enough to talk clearly about their feelings, it’s hard to explain to them that a new caregiver is going to protect them, which means it takes time for children to get used to new people. School-aged children who are sensitive or easily worried, or those who have developmental delays, may need extra time to adjust. It’s often easier for young children to make the transition if they have spent some time with their parents and the new person together. Parents also often worry about their child making the transition, and it’s easier for parents to keep calm and be reassuring if they know their child’s teacher and feel comfortable with them.

Transitioning back to early childhood programs or school— or starting them for the first time—can create extra challenges, particularly in times of stress. Learn what parents and teachers can do to help children make a successful transition to in-person learning and care.

Parents can:

• Make sure their child has a daily, predictable routine, with regular times for healthy meals, naps, and night sleep at home. Having a rested body and knowing what to expect at home helps children cope.
• Connect with other parents who have children in the same program and can provide information and make them more comfortable with the program.
• Talk with teachers about the best way to separate from their child at the start of the day—brief goodbyes are often best.
• Try to stay calm and reassuring during transition—using a calm voice, with a relaxed face and body to let their child know that they wouldn’t leave them if the child were not safe and protected.
• Talk with their child about what to expect and help them with strategies to manage stress and cope with worries, and review positive parenting tips to help children with feelings and behavior.
• Make sure their child is caught up on well-visits with their healthcare provider and is up to date with recommended vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, to ensure that the child is healthy and well protected.
• Monitor their child’s developmental milestones and learn what to do if there are concerns.
• Remember that this is a phase—building new relationships is a skill, and with support, children can be resilient. Even if it’s hard to separate, children will gain a new trusted relationship with their new teacher and feel more secure.

Parents with concerns can

• Take care of themselves during stressful times so they can be better equipped to take care of others.
• Find resources to learn how to promote resilience and reduce anxiety in their children.

• Talk to a healthcare professional if their child’s symptoms of anxiety or behavior problems are severe or persistent.
• Contact a mental healthcare professional for parent training and support so parents can help their child.
• Find resources for themselves if they are sad, worried, or stressed.
• For children with new concerns that persist, ask the school for an evaluation to see if the child may need special education services or accommodations. For children with identified disabilities, ask the program to review their Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Take the vaccine assessment quiz!

Answer 10 quick questions to learn which vaccines your child may need. Vaccines are recommended for children and adolescents based on age, health conditions, and other factors. No personal information will be retained by CDC.
This vaccine assessment tool applies to children and adolescents from birth through 18 years old. Click HERE.

Attend these back-to-school events!

Find our AHN table at these upcoming events. Click HERE for the schedule.