September Newsletter
Back to School, Back to Routine!
September brings a fresh start new classrooms, new teachers, new friends, and new routines. While this can be an exciting time for children, it can also take some time to adjust.
Changes in schedules can affect children's behavior, sleep, emotions, communication, and ability to focus. Even children who are excited about school may come home feeling tired or overwhelmed after spending the day following directions, interacting with peers, and adjusting to a new environment.
One of the best ways families can help is by creating predictable routines at home.
Try keeping mornings and evenings as consistent as possible. A simple routine might include:
• Wake up and get dressed
• Eat breakfast
• Brush teeth
• Pack backpack
• Shoes on
• Head to school
For younger children, a visual schedule with pictures can make routines easier to understand and follow.
Remember that adjustment takes time. A difficult first few weeks doesn't necessarily mean your child isn't ready for school—they may simply be learning how to navigate a brand-new routine.
Helping Your Child Transition From School to Home
Does your child seem perfectly fine at school but have big emotions as soon as they get home?
After spending hours listening, learning, communicating, sitting, moving, socializing, and managing emotions, some children simply need time to decompress.
Instead of immediately asking lots of questions about the school day, consider giving your child a little transition time.
Offer a snack, movement, outdoor play, a quiet activity, or some one-on-one time.
Then, when they're ready, start the conversation.
Instead of asking, “How was school?”
try:
“What made you laugh today?”
“What was your favorite part of the day?”
“Was anything difficult today?”
“Who did you play with?”
“What is something new you learned?”
Specific questions can make it easier for children to share their experiences.
Supporting Development Through Everyday School Routines The school year provides countless opportunities to practice developmental skills at home.
Speech & Language: Ask your child to tell you about their day, describe a picture, retell a story, or explain something they learned.
Fine Motor Skills: Encourage coloring, drawing, puzzles, building blocks, Play-Doh, cutting with child-safe scissors, and other hands-on activities.
Independence: Let children practice dressing themselves, opening lunch containers, packing their backpack, and putting away their belongings.
Emotional Development: Talk openly about feelings surrounding school and help your child find words for emotions such as nervous, excited, frustrated, proud, disappointed, or worried.
Small opportunities practiced consistently can make a big difference.
Creating a Homework-Friendly Space
Children don't necessarily need an elaborate desk or dedicated homework room. They need an environment that helps them participate successfully.
Try creating a consistent space with:
• Good lighting
• A comfortable chair and table
• Limited distractions
• Pencils, crayons, and supplies within reach
• A visual schedule or checklist
• A small sensory or fidget option when helpful
Some children also concentrate better after movement. A few minutes of jumping, stretching, dancing, or outdoor play before sitting down may help them get ready to focus.
Every child is different. The goal is to discover what environment helps your child feel comfortable, regulated, and ready to learn.
September Family Activity: Our School-Year Time Capsule
Celebrate the beginning of a new school year by creating a family time capsule.
Ask your child to write or draw:
My favorite thing right now is…
My best friend is…
This year I want to learn…
Something I'm really good at is…
When I grow up, I want to…
Add a photo from the first day of school and tuck everything into an envelope or box.
Open it together on the last day of school and see just how much your child has grown and changed!
September Craft: Apples and Fall Bucket List
Apple pie playdough no cook
To whip up a batch of this playdough apple recipe you will need a few simple materials:
1 cup of hair conditioner
2 cups of cornstarch mix Food coloring
black beads for seeds (optional)
green pipe cleaners for stems (optional)
This NO COOK playdoug recipe couldn’t be any easier. Simply mix the corn starch and any hair conditioner you like in a bowl until they form a ball. Use more cornstarch if it is to sticky and more hair conditioner if it is crumbly.
Comments