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Back to school jitters -- on everyone's part -- are normal, says Christie Sablinski, LCSW, a social worker at LaGrange Middle School. "As with anything, change can be hard, " explains the mom of two, "Be it a new school, new teachers, a new locker, a new routine, we all have a hard time going from summer mode to fall."
Below, she offers tips for easing the transition.
Be Prepared: Kids should acquaint themselves with their schedules, and if they can, walk the school prior to its start to know where everything is.
Get Organized. Make sure your child has as many of his binders, notebooks, books and pencils necessary so he can feel more confident when he walks into his new classroom.
Breathe. "A couple of deep breaths help to get the heart rate where it needs to be and helps kids manage their anxiety better," says Sablinski.
Relax. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Encourage your kids to say to themselves, "I'm scared and nervous but I can do this." "Positive self-talk goes a long way in easing anxiety," she stresses.
Communicate. Encourage your kids to talk out any potential problems or concerns and together, you can come up with strategies and solutions.
Sleep. "None of us function as well on half a tank," says Sablinski. Make sure your child gets a good night's rest before school begins.
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