How To Support Your Student

Parents make the difference! Support your child's social-emotional health, especially during transitions back to school after breaks.

Check in with your child.

You can ask:

• How do you feel about going back to school?
• Is anything worrying you?
• What was a fun or hard part of today?
• Is anyone teasing you or bullying you?

Create a new routine together.

Talk about how to stay healthy through:

• Exercise and sleep.
• Good nutrition and hydration.
• Screen time management.

Pay attention to your child's:

• Moods and feelings.
• Behaviors.
• Attitudes about school.

If you see changes or have questions, talk with your child's teacher or doctor.

To encourage your child:

• Stay calm and supportive.
• Help your child name emotions.
• Focus on positive things.
• Share why your child is special and why you are proud of them.
• Draw and write together.

If your child is anxious about separation:

• Listen to their concerns.
• Practice short times apart.
• Create a good-bye routine.
• Send them a special note or photo in their backpack.
• Assure them you will miss them too.

If your child is anxious about safety:

• Listen to their concerns.
• Share safety steps they can take.
• Answer their questions honestly.

When you talk to your child's teacher, share your child's:

• Strengths and challenges.
• Ways of dealing with stress.
• Questions and concerns.
• Interests and talents.

If you need more support, find out how to:

• Contact school counselors or psychologists.
• Find resources to address stress, anxiety, trauma or abuse.
• Connect with other families.