Course Tag: school transition

Uncertainty about school plans can be extra hard on children with special needs who thrive on consistency and routine. Uncertain times in the outside world makes at-home routines, communication, boundaries, and connection even more important.  

In this class you will learn what you can do to create a safe, supportive home environment to give your child the calm center they need to navigate an uncertain world. You will also learn important tips on how to communicate with your child’s school team to make sure your child is getting the support they need to learn and feel safe and happy. 

Class participants will be able to: 

• Identify practical approaches to be a calm center for your child even if they are struggling  
• Recognize what you can and cannot control in your child’s world 
• Develop the ability to match your expectations to your child’s capacities and your family’s circumstances 
• Define “achievable and sustainable” goals and work with your child to create a learning plan together 
• Identify and apply strategies to help your child stay on track and ways to celebrate progress 
• Apply strategies to partner effectively with your child’s teacher and support services staff ● Recognize the importance of building a support network 

Parents can take steps to ease their school age children—and themselves—back into the school year with a positive attitude. Help your family develop effective routines, positive connections, and healthy stress-coping skills. Learn strategies to help the whole family approach online or in-person learning at school with excitement rather than worry. 

After this class, you will be able to: 

• Apply strategies to manage your stress around the start of the school year as a parent and teach these strategies to your children 
• Motivate your children to develop healthy habits that support positive mental health and well-being, as well as academic learning 
• Develop playful routines that will support a positive transition  
• Create connections with teachers and administrators at your child’s school to strengthen their sense of belonging 

Back to school is upon us and you’re still not sure how to proceed or you’re unhappy with your initial choice. If there’s anything 2020 has taught us, it’s that there is no need to rush into schooling. This is a dynamic learning environment and your school age, tween or teen student can thrive. In this class we will talk about how to approach school and learning in 2020. Don’t worry if you feel stuck – you always have choices. 

After this class you will be able to: 

• Recognize your options including distance learning, home schooling, education pods and remote learning while others are “live” in school 
• Identify considerations for your child and family in order to analyze options and make a choice 
• Apply strategies that will keep your family agile in thinking about school and adjusting approaches 
• Plan with your family and take next steps 

Little Kids, Big Transitions: What Really Helps

Learning to use the potty and entering kindergarten are two important transitions that can be stressful for both parents and children. You and your child will have a much easier time with both of these big changes when you know what to expect and have a plan. Parents who view these classes will be able to:

• Recognize the challenges young children face in managing emotions
• Recognize signs of readiness in your child and in yourself to start the potty training process
• Identify activities you can use to help your child prepare for a new school experience
• Apply effective strategies that support your child to be successful at potty training 
• Apply effective strategies that will help your child be ready to enter kindergarten with less stress

Parents of young children strongly influence their child’s future school success through play and other kinds of social interaction. Play helps children to develop curiosity about the world, take initiative, develop problem solving skills, as well as apply focused attention and persistence to tasks. Your interest, questions and comments help build your child’s capacities for future success as a student. In the library Little Kids, Happy Learners parents will gain the following important skills:

• Applying strategies that make the most of everyday conversations and activities to promote your child’s learning
• Recognize how to decide what type of early education you want your child to participate in
• Helping your child  make transitions into early care settings like meeting a new caregiver or starting preschool or kindergarten