Resources for School

• Learn about the causes and signs of school avoidance, a reluctance to go to school.
• Adults can help decrease school avoidance in children and prevent the development of a clinical diagnosis.
• If the situation becomes more concerning, there are therapies that help.

• Talk with your child often using open-ended questions to understand their thoughts and fears about school safety. Let them guide the conversation so that they feel heard and supported.
• Discuss the purpose of lockdown drills in a calm, reassuring way, comparing them to fire drills. After a lockdown drill at their school, ask about how they felt and offer comfort, while respecting their desire to talk — or not.
• When school violence is in the news, limit media exposure, maintain routines and remind them of the safety measures at their school.

• Students with learning disabilities can benefit from small group or one-on-one instruction focused on reading, writing or math skills, led by teachers
• Interventions for students with anxiety may include counseling, tools for calming down, modified assignments, quiet testing environments or breaks to help students manage anxiety.
• Support for ADHD at school may involve counseling, change in seat location, visual aids, behavior tracking, and breaks to improve focus, organization and self-regulation.

• It’s not unusual for some kids to struggle academically; often, it can cause extra pressure to catch up.
• Parents and caregivers can help prepare their children who struggled last year by having conversations and making plans to address the child’s needs for this upcoming year.

• If your child is having problems at school, speak with their teacher, counselor or administrative staff and ask about what support programs are available.
• Public schools offer federally supported services like 504 Plans (for health-related accommodations), IEPs (for academic or behavior support), and FBAs (to assess and address complex behaviors).
• Parents should work with the school to identify supports that can help their child meet academic, behavior and social expectations.

• There are lots of staff at school; it can be confusing to know who to talk to about what.
• You can connect with your child’s teacher or other staff as needed to help you support your child’s academic and behavioral challenges.
• Learn about tools that can help encourage good behavior with praise or rewards that are more effective when teachers and caregivers use them consistently.

As kids are heading back to school – many online again – here are some tips to make sure the year goes smoothly.

• Help your child prepare for school emotionally by reflecting on summer, talking about school-related feelings, and discussing upcoming changes. Our conversation starters can help get you started.
• Consider how your family can get organized for the school year by adjusting daily routines, setting up designated space for schoolwork and getting organized.
• When possible, meet teachers, attend school events and encourage extracurricular involvement.

• Back-to-school nerves are common, especially during times of change, such as transitioning to a new school. You can help children manage these feelings by getting back into school routines ahead of time and visiting their new school or classroom.
• Help children connect with peers through fun outings, involve them in school supply shopping and talk about what they like about school to reduce fear.
• Listen to your child’s concerns, help them challenge negative thoughts and teach coping skills like relaxation exercises.
• If worries persist for more than a few weeks, consult a pediatrician or therapist for additional support.

• Getting to know your class and encouraging students to get to know one another can improve classroom belonging.
• Asking open-ended questions can be a great way to get everyone to share.
• While you can encourage all students to participate, try to avoid making a student answer a question they’re not comfortable with.

School belonging is one of the best ways we can help protect our children’s mental health as they navigate these stressors during back-to-school season.

• Feeling a sense of connection at school has many mental health benefits for kids
• Parents can help children by getting more involved with their child’s school
• Teachers can increase a sense of belonging for the whole class

• Test anxiety impacts many kids and can cause physical symptoms (like nausea or headaches), trouble focusing or wanting to avoid the test. It’s more common in kids with learning challenges, mental health conditions or perfectionist tendencies.
• Learn about four ways to help a child with test anxiety by talking to them, establishing a plan, strategizing relaxation methods and challenging thoughts.
• On the day of a test, take a few minutes to review the plan, remind them of the calming tools they have practiced and offer encouragement. The goal is to build confidence and resilience.

Nina and Ryan Day know that keeping our brain in shape is just as important as physical fitness. Their Day Time Break program encourages mental wellness for students sixth through eighth grade to help students boost mental wellbeing.

Add wellness tips for your students to help them manage their mental health during the school day. Use any of the following during morning announcements, in your classes, in parent newsletters and more.

Educators face emotional burdens, stress, and burnout. Prioritize self-care, seek help when needed, and draw strength from student resilience.

Teachers can be dependable sources of empathy, understanding and mutual self-care for each other. Our experts have idea how teachers can support other teachers.