Prepare Your Foster Family for Back-to-School
Back-to-school time can be fun, scary, exciting, stressful or sometimes all of the above. There are new friends to make, new teachers to meet, and plenty of new material to learn. However, there are also new routines and possibly even a new school to navigate.
For some children in foster care, there may be the added stress of a new home and caregiver, the absence of friends at a previous school, and the ongoing uncertainty in their life. Here are a few tips to help prepare your foster child for a successful new school year.
1. Meet with your child’s teacher before school starts
It’s important to create a support system for your child to help them achieve goals both in and out of school. Schedule a meeting with your child’s new teacher before the school year starts so you can express your interest in your child’s schooling, discuss any potential roadblocks to learning and develop a plan to cope with them. It might be helpful to have your child meet their teacher ahead of time as well, so they feel more comfortable on the first day.
2. Get excited about picking out school supplies
After a summer of fun and relaxation, kids are not always excited about going back to school, which can potentially cause difficulty in getting them to engage. Make getting ready for school fun. Take your foster child with you to buy school supplies and clothes. Let them pick out folders, notebooks, and outfits in their favorite color or with characters they like. Nothing gets a kid more excited for school than a brand-new Spiderman backpack!
If you need help getting school supplies, many nonprofits in the area are doing school supply drives, including Boys & Girls Aid. Contact us if you need donations.
3. Start a routine before you need it
It’s easy to fall into a lax summer routine while your child is out of school, but that can make it harder to get them ready when it’s time for the first day. Start easing your child into a new routine several weeks before school starts. Going to bed early, getting up early, and implementing more structured learning and play times are all helpful. Not only will this help your child get accustomed to something new, but it can also help you identify and work out obstacles long before school starts.
4. Read with them
This is important all year long but can be especially advantageous during the school year. Carve out some time each day to read with your child. Read to them, have them read to you or simply have family quiet time each day when everyone can read on their own. Reading can help improve a child’s vocabulary and writing skills, as well as increase their concentration and creativity.
5. Communicate
Problems can’t be solved if you don’t know they exist. Let your foster child know that they can always talk to you. Encourage them to tell you about their day at school- both the good and the bad. This way you can celebrate their accomplishments, share in their excitements and help them through their struggles. The biggest part of being a parent is simply being there.
Each new school year is a new journey, but it doesn't have to be a scary one. These tips should get your family off to a great start. If you need additional support, don’t hesitate to call the 24/7 Boys & Girls Aid helpline.