With the new school year just weeks away, NewBridge Services has advice for parents to help ease their children’s transition from lazy summer days to the bustle of fall. As families head to out to buy school supplies and new outfits, it’s important to make sure students are emotionally prepared too.

Tips for Parents of Elementary School-Age Children

Begin implementing school-year routines now. Set consistent bedtimes, wake-up times, and meal schedules.
Invite your child to share their feelings and concerns about returning to school. Listen attentively and validate their emotions, offering reassurance and support.
If your child is attending a school for the first time, arrange to have them tour it before the first day.
Encourage your child to engage in expressive play as a way to process their feelings and build resilience.
Teach your child simple relaxation techniques such as focusing on their breath to calm them when they feel anxious.

Tips for Parents of Preteens and Teenagers:

Encourage open conversations and validate your adolescent’s feelings, acknowledging their emotions without judgment.
Work with your preteen/teenager to set achievable academic and personal goals for the upcoming year. Help them break down big objectives into smaller tasks.
Foster independence by allowing and encouraging your teen to take on responsibilities, make decisions, and learn from their mistakes.
Talk with your child about the importance of self-care and mental well-being, encouraging them to exercise regularly, sleep eight to 10 hours a night, and participate in activities they enjoy.
Promote healthy friendships, which help support good mental health.
Discuss with them the importance of kindness and to be respectful to everyone; it is never OK to make fun of people.
Teach them to stand up for classmates who are being bullied.
By offering support, establishing routines, and encouraging open communication, parents can empower their children to face the new school year with confidence and resilience.

NewBridge trains public school staffers and other adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid, teaching them how to respond to youth in crisis. Last year, 442 people, including 200 public school staffers, received training in Youth Mental Health First Aid. NewBridge also provided mental health resources to 1,800 high school students and school staff at four community education and outreach events.

For more information, contact Beth, director of Community Outreach and Education at NewBridge, at ejacobson@newbridge.org. Please support our youth mental health efforts, please donate to NewBridge today! Click on the donate link here. Thank you!