This Simple Back-to-School Hack Eases First-Day Anxiety
The start of back-to-school season brings about a variety of emotions for kids and parents alike—excitement, anticipation, and sometimes, a bit of anxiety. The thought of meeting new people, navigating a different environment, and stepping into an unfamiliar routine can be overwhelming, especially for a young child.
I love this super simple trick I saw on Coffee and Carpool's blog about placing a family photo in your child's pencil box to ease those back-to-school jitters and decided to try it out!
Why place a family photo in a pencil box or lunch box?
Other than the familiar faces your child will see that will provide a sense of peace and calm. Here are some other reasons to use a family photo.
Sense of Belonging: A family photo serves as a small but powerful reminder of a loving environment where the child feels safe and accepted.
Reduced Anxiety: The photo acts as a tangible piece of home, reducing feelings of separation anxiety.
Instant Comfort: A quick look at loved ones can act as an instant morale booster, helping kids tackle challenges with greater confidence.
Enhanced Focus: When children feel emotionally secure, they can focus better on their lessons and engage more effectively in classroom activities.
Family Photo Pencil Box – Materials:
pencil case (hardback not soft pouch works best)
school supplies
printed photo that fits in the inside lid of your pencil box
Instructions
The process is as straightforward as it sounds:
Choose a Photo: Select a family photo that your child loves. It could be a holiday snapshot, a picture from a family outing, or even a casual photo taken at home. We loved this one hike we did so chose that as a reminder for my child.
Size It Right: Make sure the photo fits into the pencil box without taking up too much space. You can print a smaller version if necessary. There are many free tools like Canva you can use to resize an image easily.
Discuss: Show the photo to your child before placing it in the pencil box. This can be an excellent opportunity to discuss their feelings about the new school year and remind them that their family is always with them, in spirit if not in person.
Place It: Simply place the photo in the pencil box with double-stick tape or for more permanence you can glue it on (however you can't swap out the photo as easily if yoiu do that). You can also use glue dots or removable tape.
Final Thoughts
This straightforward back-to-school idea is a tiny gesture, but it could make a big difference in how your child perceives and adapts to a new academic environment. So this school year, as you shop for pencils, erasers, and notebooks, don't forget to add a loving family photo to that pencil box. It may be the most valuable 'supply' of all!
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