Back-to-school season is a time of excitement, change, and sometimes even a little stress. It’s a time to get organized, meet new teachers and classmates, and learn new things. But it can also be when kids feel overwhelmed or anxious about the changes they face. This back-to-school guide is designed to help you and your child make the most of this exciting time. We’ll cover everything from packing for school to managing back-to-school stress. We’ll also provide a guide to supporting your child as they adjust to their new school environment.
Table of Contents
Preparing Your Child for the New Routine
Transitioning from a relaxed summer schedule to a structured school routine can be challenging for kids with thinking and learning differences. A gradual approach can help ease this transition. For example, adjusting their sleep schedule incrementally to align with school timings can make the first day of school less of a shock to their system.
The Kid’s Tablet for Daily Routines:
Using tech can make routines & time management fun for kids. See all of the apps included on the Goally Kid’s Tablet that build executive functioning skills:
"So happy with our Goally devices! My two with ASD and ADHD finally remember what they are supposed to do and the order of which to do them! " — Goally Mom Learn more →
Discussing the new routine with your child can also be beneficial. Visual aids can help make this conversation more engaging and easier to understand. Practicing the new routine a few days before school starts can also help reduce first-day jitters.
Advocating for Your Child’s Needs
As a parent, you are your child’s most effective advocate. Open communication with the school staff about your child’s needs and learning style is crucial. Requesting necessary accommodations, such as extra time for tests or using assistive technology, can help create a productive learning environment for your child.
Staying involved in your child’s education is also essential. Regular attendance at parent-teacher meetings and maintaining communication with the school staff can help you stay up to date and ensure your child is doing great in school.
Supporting Your Child’s Social Skills
Social interactions can be challenging for neurodivergent kids. Role-playing different social situations can help your child learn appropriate responses and behaviors. Encouraging participation in clubs or activities can provide opportunities for social interaction in a structured and supportive environment.
Read more: Social Skills Groups
Teaching your child about non-verbal cues and body language can also enhance their social communication skills. These often-overlooked aspects of communication can greatly impact social interactions.
Using Technology to Support Learning
Technology can be a valuable tool in supporting learning for kids with thinking and learning differences. Apps like Goally can help your child stay organized, manage time, and foster independence. These tools can significantly enhance your child’s learning experience.
However, it’s important to remember that technology is a tool, not a replacement for teaching. While Goally can help your child manage their tasks and routines, they still need your support and guidance to succeed.
Evidence shows that kids learn best when they’re having fun. Many teachers recommend using learning tech like Goally to engage with kids in a way they love.
In the classroom, Goally can help kids with:
- Following directions by providing visual and verbals supports to help them understand each task.
- Staying on task by providing timers and reminders to help them stay focused.
- Communicating with their teachers and peers through the AAC Talker app that allows them to express wants and needs.
- Identifying and regulating their emotions before children have a meltdown because they are overstimulated.
Goally’s distraction-free kid’s tablet can be used as a therapy tool to help teach executive function, language, emotional regulation, finger dexterity skills, and more!
We hope this back to school guide makes this school season easier for you and your child. Remember, it’s essential to start planning early, be flexible, and communicate with your child. You can help your child have a successful and enjoyable start to the new school year with a little effort.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
