Back-to-School_Success Starts Here Toolkit

SUCCESS HERE STARTS a guide to supporting your child's mental heath this school year

STAY Going back to school can place pressure to perform on kids. Help ease the pressure by focusing on more than academic and athletic accomplishments. CENTERED

Christ Is Your Cornerstone: Keep Christ at the center. Prioritize your faith as a family, and remember that He is your focus. Do Your Best: Remind your child that you care more about the effort than the grade. You want them to use their God-given gifts and abilities to serve Him, but you understand that some grades may not be an "A," and that is okay. Choose Activities Together: Too many extracurricular activities can cause stress for kids. Go through your child's options at the beginning of the school year and choose which activities work best for your child, family, and lifestyle.

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DISCUSS Talk to your child about your expectations for the upcoming school year. Include their ideas to give them a sense of control. EXPECTATIONS Expectation: We will leave the house by 7:30 AM every morning. Inclusion: What time would you like me to wake you for school? Expectation: We will begin homework when we get home. Inclusion: What can we do for for fun afterwards? Expectation: We will read every night for 30 minutes. Inclusion: What books would you like to read?

Expectation: Bedtime on school nights is at 8:00 PM. Inclusion: What should our bedtime routine look like?

ESTABLISH Talk with your child about setting specific goals to empower and encourage your child. Be sure to celebrate once it's accomplished! YOURGOALS Goal: 1 What will we do to celebrate?: Goal: 2 What will we do to celebrate?:

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Going back to school can feel overwhelming. Help your child manage these feelings by limiting chaos and staying organized. ORGANIZED

Create a Visual: Write down everyone's schedule on a calendar for everyone to see. Reference it regularly when discussing plans. Prepare for Success: Make lunches, pick outfits, and pack backpacks the night before to reduce morning stress. It's All About Routine: Following a routine helps children manage expectations and gives them a sense of security. Establish both a morning and an evening routine in your household. Make Some Space: Have an area in your house for all school- related items so your child knows where they are and can easily access them.

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CHOOSE Discuss healthy coping skills with your child and select a few techniques to use when feeling anxious. These may include breathing techniques, visualizing a happy place, reading books, or listening to music COPING SKILLS

Coping Technique: 1 Coping Technique: 2 Coping Technique: 3

SHARE AFFIRMATIONS Encouragements to share with your child to build self-esteem

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I love you, and I am here for you. Jesus loves you, and He is always there for you. I am so proud of you. I love watching you use your gifts! God created you with purpose, and He has a plan for you.

3. 4. 5. I love hearing your ideas. Thanks for sharing themwith me! 6. I love spending time with you! 7. I believe in you, and I know you can do this!

ALWAYS God is with you in the classroom, on the field, and at home. REMEMBER