Summer is almost over – it’s the holidays.
To ease you into the new school year, a pediatric neuropsychologist is sharing three things parents should keep in mind.
Jennifer Katzenstein – director of psychology, neuropsychology and social work at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL – wants caregivers to think about getting back into a routine, creating a consistent sleep schedule and monitoring electronic use.
“It is incredibly important to prepare our children to return to the classroom and also manage any additional stress and anxiety that may come with returning to routine,” Katzenstein said in a TikTok last month.
Get back into a routine
In a survey last year, 87% of parents of children under 18 reported that the back-to-school season causes them stress or anxiety, with over half calling it the most stressful time of the year.
Katzenstein recommends making sure there are no surprises during back-to-school.
She suggests contacting your child’s teacher to see if you can get into their classroom early to find their desk and table and help them navigate the walk from the drop-off point to the classroom.
While you’re formulating this routine, Katzenstein advises checking for red flags in your child.
“Think: ‘Is my child more irritable or easily put off? Do they have more worries or nervousness as they head into the school year?’ And have you noticed any changes in your sleep? For our younger children, is there any difference in the toilet?” said Katzenstein.
“If you are starting to see these symptoms, [it’s a] great opportunity to consult with your pediatrician or a trusted psychologist or counselor to make sure that anxiety doesn’t affect them as they head back into the school year,” she added.
Create a sleep schedule
Sleep is essential for children’s health and development. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children ages 3 to 5 get 10 to 13 hours of sleep a night; children 6 to 12 years old sleep for nine to 12 hours; and teens aim for eight to 10 hours.
NewYork-Presbyterian advises starting the new bedtime two weeks before school starts by gradually moving your bedtime and morning alarm earlier by 15 minutes.
Monitor electronic usage
“Sometimes in the summer, myself included, we let our kids do a little bit more on their electronics and their devices than we do during the school year,” Katzenstein admitted. “We need to get it back to no more than two hours a day.”
For children ages 5 to 17, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of screen time per day, not including homework.
For preschoolers, a recent study linked tablet use to problems in emotion regulation.
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