August 2024

At school, children are in a structured environment with clear rules and routines. They are often more reserved and focused on meeting the expectations of teachers and peers.

This environment can be both stimulating and demanding, requiring significant emotional and cognitive effort to navigate successfully.

Home, on the other hand, is typically a safe and familiar space where children feel comfortable expressing their true emotions.

After a long day of managing their behavior and emotions at school, children might release their pent-up feelings once they return to the comfort of home.

EMOTIONAL FATIGUE

It takes effort for a child to stay calm and meet expectations during the school day. This can be emotionally exhausting for some children. When they get home, that’s when they let out all those pent-up emotions!

UNMET NEEDS:

When a child has emotional outbursts, it could indicate that their needs are not being met. These needs can range from physical, such as hunger or fatigue, to emotional, like the need for attention, comfort, or validation.

DIFFICULTY EXPRESSING EMOTIONS:

Some children struggle to articulate their feelings and therefore use these outbursts as a means of communicating their feelings. They might lack the vocabulary or emotional awareness to express what they are feeling internally.

OVERSTIMULATION:

The sensory input from a busy school environment, such as loud noises, bright lights, and crowded spaces, can be overwhelming for some children. When these children come home, the overstimulation from their school day can result in emotional meltdowns.

CHANGES AND TRANSITIONS:

Transitions between environments, such as coming home from school, can be challenging for children. They might need time to adjust and unwind, and outbursts can be a way of coping with these changes.

It’s also important to CONSIDER SENSORY SENSITIVITIES, as some children have heightened reactions to certain sounds, lights, or textures, which can contribute to emotional outbursts.

Additionally, ESTABLISHING CONSISTENT ROUTINES can give your child a sense of security and predictability. Make sure these routines include regular breaks and downtime to help them recharge emotionally. By providing this structured and soothing environment, you can help your child feel more balanced and in control of their emotions.

Helping your child develop emotional regulation skills is essential for managing their emotions.

TECHNIQUES LIKE DEEP BREATHING, COUNTING TO TEN, OR USING A STRESS BALL can be really effective tools for self-regulation. 

By teaching these skills and promoting healthy expression, you can support your child in handling their emotions in a more constructive way.

 Communicate these boundaries calmly and reinforce them with positive reinforcement and appropriate consequences as needed.

Also, remember that emotional regulation is a skill that takes time to develop, so be patient and offer your child understanding and support as they learn to navigate their emotions.

Demonstrate healthy emotional regulation and coping strategies in your own behavior, showing them that it’s okay to have feelings and that there are constructive ways to deal with them.

FINDING THE PERFECT SPOT

• Start by finding a spot in your home that can be dedicated to learning. It doesn’t have to be a whole room—a cozy corner in the living room, a section of the kitchen, or even a repurposed closet can work wonders.
• The key is consistency. With a separate space, your child can transition into work mode. Studies have shown that students with a dedicated work area tend to be more motivated to finish their work and demonstrate improved attention and productivity.
  
• Once you’ve chosen the location, think about the essentials. A good desk or table is important. Make sure it’s at a comfortable height for your child, and if possible, invest in a chair that’s supportive. Proper seating is important to keep those little backs healthy and to encourage good posture.
• If space allows, a small bookshelf or storage unit nearby can help keep materials organized and within easy reach.
  

KEEP SUPPLIES HANDY AND TIDY

• Start with the basics: pencils, pens, paper, notebooks, and any textbooks or workbooks your child might need.
• Use containers or bins to keep these items tidy. Clear plastic bins are great because you can easily see what’s inside without rummaging through everything.
• Labeling containers can also help keep things in order and make it easier for your child to put things away.

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR CHILD?

• For a more personal touch, consider adding a bulletin board or a whiteboard.
• These can be used to display weekly schedules, inspirational quotes, or even your child’s artwork.
• It’s a fun way to personalize the space and make it more engaging for your child.

ILLUMINATE YOUR LEARNING SPACE

• Lighting is another crucial element.
• Natural light is best, so if you can set up near a window, do it! If not, make sure the space is well-lit with a good desk lamp.
• Poor lighting can cause eye strain, making it harder for your child to concentrate.

ADDING A PERSONAL TOUCH

• Lastly, make the space inviting. Add some personal touches that reflect your child’s interests. Maybe it’s a favorite stuffed animal, a cozy blanket, or some colorful artwork.
• The goal is to create a space where your child feels comfortable and excited to learn.

REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR

• Set aside the time to look back at the previous school year. Together, set practical academic goals such as improving in specific subjects or building better study habits. 
• However, when reflecting, it’s important to consider more than just grades and teacher feedback for your child. Take into account their social interactions and emotional well-being as well. Were they able to form friendships easily? Did they seem stressed or anxious? 
• This kind of reflection can help your child process their own emotions and prepare for the upcoming year. Devise personal goals like making new friends or learning to manage stress. These goals can help your child approach the new school year with a sense of purpose and motivation.

 RE-ESTABLISH ROUTINES

• While the lazy summer days are awesome, getting back into the school rhythm can be tough. Start by easing into earlier bedtimes and morning wake-ups to get into the groove. 
• Establish a daily routine that includes time for meals, fun activities, and relaxation to bring more structure to your day.
• Involving your child in the process can also be exciting. Take them shopping for school supplies and let them choose what they like. 
• Spend time together labeling and organizing their new materials. 
• Setting up a cool study area at home with all the necessary materials can also help gear them up for a great school year.

 FOSTER INDEPENDENCE

• Fostering a sense of independence in your child can enhance their confidence about the new school year. Giving them age-appropriate responsibilities at home, like making their bed, packing their lunch, or tidying their room, can really boost their confidence. 
• Consider using a family calendar or visual schedule to teach them time management skills and help them keep track of plans and activities. 
• Encourage decision-making by letting your child have a say in how they structure their summer days and activities. 
• When things don’t go as planned, like a tiff with siblings or a misplaced toy, guide them in solving problems independently. 
• These activities all foster resilience and build the independence they’ll need when they transition back to school!

COMMUNICATE WITH THE SCHOOL

• Maintaining open lines of communication with your child’s school is a critical part of a successful school year. 
• Stay informed by keeping up with communications from the school like emails or newsletters. 
• Attend any back-to-school events or orientation sessions to meet teachers and familiarize your child with the school environment. This can drastically reduce first-day jitters! 

Volcano Eruption

• Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, food coloring, and a container.
• Activity: Create a mini volcano using the container, add baking soda, dish soap, and food coloring, then pour in vinegar to watch the eruption. Discuss the chemical reaction happening between the baking soda and vinegar.

Rainbow in a Jar

• Materials: Honey, corn syrup, dish soap, water, vegetable oil, and food coloring.
  
• Activity: Layer different liquids of varying densities in a jar to create a rainbow effect. This activity teaches about density and miscibility.

Simple Circuits

• Materials: LED lights, copper tape, coin cell batteries, and paper.
• Activity: Create simple circuits on paper using copper tape to connect LEDs to batteries. This introduces basic principles of electricity and circuitry.

Scratch Coding

• Materials: Computer or tablet with internet access.
• Activity: Use Scratch, a free online coding platform, to create interactive stories, games, and animations. This helps children learn the basics of programming and logical thinking.
• https://scratch.mit.edu/

Building Bridges

• Materials: Straws, popsicle sticks, tape, and small weights.
• Activity: Challenge your child to build a bridge using the materials provided. Test the bridge by adding weights and discuss why certain designs hold more weight.

Balloon-Powered Cars

• Materials: Balloons, straws, bottle caps, skewers, and cardboard.
• Activity: Design and build a car powered by the air from a balloon. This project explores principles of physics, such as thrust and friction.

Math Bingo

• Materials: Bingo cards with math problems and counters.
• Activity: Create Bingo cards with math problems that match with the answers on the counters. This turns practicing math skills into a fun game.

Pattern Blocks

• Materials: Pattern blocks or geometric shapes.
• Activity: Use pattern blocks to create designs and explore symmetry, fractions, and spatial awareness.

KiwiCo Crates

• Monthly subscription boxes that provide hands-on projects in science, art, and engineering for various age groups.
• Benefits: Each kit comes with all the materials needed and an instruction booklet, making it easy for children to dive into STEM activities.
• https://www.kiwico.com/kiwi

Little Passports Science Expeditions

• Monthly science kits that include experiments, activities, and an educational comic book.
• Benefits: These kits focus on different scientific themes each month, providing a broad range of topics to explore.
• https://www.littlepassports.com/subscription/science-expeditions/

NASA’s Climate Kids

• A website filled with games, videos, and activities about climate science and the environment.
• Benefits: Provides interactive and engaging content that teaches children about Earth’s climate and how to protect it.
• https://climatekids.nasa.gov/

Code.org

• Offers free coding lessons and activities for children of all ages.
• Benefits: Encourages early learning in computer science with easy-to-follow tutorials and fun coding exercises.
• https://code.org/

Khan Academy Kids

• A free educational app that offers a variety of interactive activities in math, reading, and science.
• Benefits: Tailored for younger children, it provides engaging content that helps build foundational skills in STEM.
• https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/

Tynker

• An app that teaches kids coding through games and creative projects.
• Benefits: Gradually increases in complexity, allowing children to progress at their own pace while learning to code.
• https://www.tynker.com/