By: Dean Johnson, Follow South Jersey Editor-in-Chief
Before there was Amazon, there was the Sears catalog.
My family did not traverse the mall for the brand name clothing. During a midsummer afternoon, usually on a rainy day, my brothers and I would sit with my mother, leafing about the Sears catalog cobbling together the outfits that would take us through the new school year.
I remember thinking of all the possibilities that the new year held: new teachers, new subjects, possibly new friends. I was always optimistic of the new school year while at the same time, I always felt a little anxious. What if I didn’t like a teacher? What if I would get too much homework? What if someone on the playground made fun of my Sears jeans?
According to a 2023 study by the Harris Poll on behalf of the On Our Sleeves Movement for Children’s Mental Health, 71% of parents reported that their children experienced stressors at school including safety concerns (37%), academic challenges (26%), and bullying (24%).
The New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative offers suggestions to help children transition into the new school year:
- Visit your child’s school and classroom
- Involve your child in establishing a quiet place to study and do homework
- Return to a consistent daily schedule, beginning with a healthy breakfast and a clearly established bedtime that will allow for a good night’s rest
- Maintain a healthy balance between academic and extracurricular activities. Avoid
over-scheduling. Include time for shared family activities (especially dinner) and physical exercise - Talk with your child about the new school year. Ask about concerns regarding the new grade level and classmates. Encourage your child to set their own goals for the new year.
By communicating often and honestly with your children, stress and anxiety for both the student and the parents can be greatly reduced.
Here’s to a safe, happy, and healthy 2024-2025 school year.
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Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
