Tips for a Strong Start to Your Child’s School Year

A successful school year relies on so many factors, from the home and classroom environments, to taking care of one’s physical and mental health, and so much more. From the therapists at Saint Louis Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, here are a few things to consider helping your child learn at his or her best.

Physical wellness

The right nutrition, sleep, and activity habits make it possible for students to bring their best to each school day. Limit junk food, late nights, and sedentary activity so that your child is ready to learn. Your child’s pediatrician can help answer questions about what he or she needs.

Routines

Establishing a consistent routine makes it easier for your child to succeed in school. With a predictable daily rhythm of when to wake up, go about daily activities, and go to bed, a child is more at ease and confident. Build time into the routine for healthy habits and academic success. When a child knows generally what to expect from day to day, she or he can focus on learning.

Encourage curiosity

Nurture your child’s sense of wonder by inviting him or her to ask questions about things they encounter. When you’re out and about with them, ask questions about what they observe. For the youngest learners, add another layer to story time by discussing what’s in the book. For older students, promote reading for leisure and have conversations about what they’re reading. Provide open-ended activities that encourage creativity and opportunities to try new approaches to things. Treat mistakes as learning opportunities and focus on effort and growth rather than perfection.

Social skills

Interactions with peers, as well as with teachers and other adults, are an important part of school. It is important to teach your child how to set boundaries for what kind of treatment is appropriate from others, how to communicate and advocate for those boundaries, and how to respect others’ boundaries. Along the way, model collaborative skills for them (like sharing, teamwork, and conflict resolution), as well as habits like introducing oneself to others and getting to know them, including others in activities, and encouraging others.

Mental and emotional wellbeing

Of course, it would be unrealistic to expect the school year to be free of stress and anxiety. There will be moments of worry. This is a healthy response to challenges and opportunities for growth, as long as one knows how to cope with it. For instance, show your child how to practice deep breathing to help calm down. Teach encouraging sayings that your child can repeat to him- or herself in stressful situations.

 

Still, coping skills like these don’t always come naturally. It is possible that a student may need a little extra help to learn how to navigate these situations. Support from a professional counselor is a great way to develop coping skills.

How Saint Louis Counseling can help

The skilled, compassionate therapists from Saint Louis Counseling have experience supporting improved mental health with people of all ages, including students from preschool through college. Knowing that different supports will be important at different developmental stages, and in individual circumstances, our counselors tailor their approach based on each person’s needs. We can offer advice and resources to help with all of the above topics and more.

 

And along with office-based counseling, our services are available in 120 Catholic, private, and public schools throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis, through our School Partnership Program. Through SPP, a school can have a counselor on campus up to five days a week, helping students work through challenges (school-related or otherwise). Thanks to funding from Catholic Charities, investment from partner schools, and generous program supporters, SPP services are provided to students free of charge. Ask your child’s teacher or school administrators if Saint Louis Counseling’s School Partnership program is available at your school.

 

If you are interested in services other than the School Partnership Program, contact Saint Louis Counseling to request an appointment. Visit us online at SaintLouisCounseling.org or call us at 314-544-3800.

 

Saint Louis Counseling: Caring for the Mind through Healing, Help, and Hope