School - Ovia Health https://www.oviahealth.com/blog/parenting/school/ Digital health personalized for every family journey Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:43:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 Transitioning from middle to high school  https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/272723/transition-middle-to-high-school/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:57:29 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=272723 The SAT, driver’s test, and prom. High school brings opportunities and challenges within and outside of the school building. This is a transformative time for your teen as it likely was for you. You probably have lots of high school memories yourself and your own experiences may impact how you’re feeling about your teen transitioning from middle to high school.

The high school years can be challenging for sure, but this time is also an exciting opportunity for your teen to explore their identity and establish more confidence. 

Social 

As middle school students often reshuffle into different high schools, your child may lose and gain friendships. They may also shed social status as they enter a larger school with older students. All the while, they’ll be carving out their identity, seeking peer validation, and possibly starting their first romantic relationship. You might notice that your teen wants to try new styles of dressing, hang out with different friends, or explore different extracurricular activities. 

This can be an emotionally challenging time for parents as you might feel overwhelmed or concerned about your teen gaining even more independence. It can help to set some expectations and ground rules to keep your mind at ease and your teen safe. And especially as drugs, alcohol, sex, and more enter the picture, it’s important that you keep or establish open communication with each other.

If communication and/or connection have been a challenging part of your family dynamic,  now is the time to double down on your efforts through family meetings or other time together. Your teen may need boundaries, but they also need the reassurance that they can come to you with their hardest emotions and situations without fear.


Academic 

Your child’s classes will be both faster-paced and more stimulating in high school. Some students will even be able to take college-level “advanced placement” (AP) courses. They’ll have to learn to juggle school work with extracurriculars, part-time employment, and social obligations, which can cause some stress. Dropout rates vary across the country, but graduation rates are about 87%.

Starting in ninth grade, teachers and administrators will encourage your child to start making plans for after high school. If your child wants to pursue a bachelor’s degree, they will have to start the college application process, which may include taking the SAT or ACT in their junior year. Exciting and stressful, this time tends to create comparison and competition among teenagers (and sometimes even their parents). If you get the sense that your teen is getting a little too wrapped up in other people’s perceptions of them, try to help them re-center on what makes them happy and what they’re excited about for their future, independent of their friends’ plans. It’s easy to look for external validation, even as adults, but helping your teen find what brings them independent joy is so important.

Physiological 

Puberty will cause your child to develop physically, emotionally, sexually, and cognitively. They may experience mood swings and body image changes. It’s important to pay attention to their mental health as eating disorders are prevalent in teens and depression and other mental health conditions are rising. If you’re ever feeling concerned about your teen, persist in communicating with them about it. Choose a time when you’re both feeling relaxed and let them know that you’re there for them, that you care about their health and happiness, and that there are many paths to seek support if they need it. Offer examples of people they know who have needed more family support or therapy to normalize getting help.

While high schoolers can do many of the things adults can do, their brains are still developing into their early twenties. This means they’re not always great at future thinking and proactive planning and may still rely on your guidance for some of these tasks. A little parental patience goes a long way as they learn these valuable skills.

How to guide your teenager 

Some anxiety over all of the changes when starting high school is normal. But your child may be struggling more seriously with anxiety if they display some of the signs below.

  • Not eating or sleeping as much as normal 
  • Experiencing stomach aches, nausea, or headaches 
  • Becoming more irritable or less lively than usual 
  • Not wanting to go to school or attend extracurricular activities 

There are lots of ways to help guide your teen’s decision-making while promoting their independence. Here are some ideas. 

  • Congratulate their efforts in addition to their achievements. Let them practice failure without fear of punishment.
  • Encourage them to set goals beyond grades; have them envision the life they want to live after high school to help focus and motivate them in the short term. 
  • Listen to them. Invite them to talk through solutions to their problems before you suggest any fixes or reframe their emotions.  
  • Set consistent boundaries with your teenager. And if you have a partner, make sure they’re also enforcing these boundaries. 
  • Be open to them exploring their identity. Experimenting with clothes and hairstyles is not the same as experimenting with drugs and alcohol. 
  • Remember that some conflict with your teenager is normal and often the sign of a productive relationship. 
  • Destigmatize reproductive health and talk about birth control options. 

You can also help your teen establish daily routines to thrive.

  • Let them take a break and decompress after school. 
  • Help them find a consistent time to complete homework. 
  • Limit their social media engagement and overall screen time. 

How your teenager can thrive 

Considering your child may be driving and dating, they can take accountability for their wellbeing, too. This might look like:

  • Viewing high school as a fresh start academically and socially 
  • Participating in extracurriculars that they’re naturally good at but also exploring new activities 
  • Seeking out a formal or informal mentor
  • Using an agenda to track activities and assignments
  • Using the “SMART” method to set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound
  • Getting enough sleep and considering journaling to process emotions before bed

This is an exciting time filled with change. Your teen is becoming a more full version of themself and even if they don’t always want you to know it, you’re an essential part of who they are today and who they will be in all the years to come. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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]]> Transitioning from elementary to middle school  https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/272720/elementary-to-middle-school/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:56:04 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=272720 Lockers. Class blocks. Puberty. At around eleven years old, your child will make the sometimes scary but often exciting transition from elementary to middle school. Also called “junior high,” middle school spans grades six through eight. 

How does middle school differ from elementary school? 

The middle school years are tremendously transformative. Your tween will experience healthy growth opportunities as well as complex logistical, academic, and emotional challenges.  

Middle school provides more independence than elementary school because it comes with less structure. Your child will have harder classes that require more intellectual horsepower and they’ll start taking more work home. They’ll confront social pressures while navigating physical and mental development.

Your child’s transition can be broken down into four categories.  

Logistical

In many instances, your child will have to attend a new physical school when they enter sixth grade, requiring them to adjust to different classroom locations and rules. This new school might come with a different timing for pickup and dropoff as well. 

In terms of classes, your teen will likely start “block scheduling,” which means longer, rotating classes with specialized teachers for each subject. This will require that they keep up with a slightly different schedule, various assignments each day, and potentially different teacher expectations. 

With so much class shuffling, they’ll have to start using a locker (often with a tricky combination lock) to store their things. Many middle schoolers have fun decorating their lockers to reflect their personality! If your tween attends a school without lockers, finding a large and well supported backpack can be helpful.

Academic 

Schools vary widely when it comes to curriculum, but here’s the general idea.

Whereas elementary school focuses on learning facts, middle school calls for more creative, big-picture thinking. Your child will consider how factual information merges into real-world concepts through open-ended assignments. They’ll be asked to form opinions about what they’re reading and they’ll explore new concepts in all their classes.  

In language arts, your child will read nonfiction books, conduct research, and create bibliographies. During math and science, they’ll use calculators to solve word problems, and learn about probability and statistics. In history and social studies, your child will consider historical events through different perspectives, comparing them to current events. 

Social 

Oftentimes a few elementary schools will funnel into one middle school, which means your child will foster new friendships, while maintaining previous ones. They’ll meet and adjust to new staff members and interact with older, more advanced students. It can be intimidating to be the youngest ones in the school, but they’ll get their bearings in no time. 

Puberty

As if all these changes weren’t enough, your child might start undergoing puberty around this time. Puberty can spark growth spurts and other physical developments such as menstruation or voice changes. Given their hormonal shifts, your child might feel more insecure or vulnerable than they had in elementary school. Continue your conversations about what to expect during puberty, so they know it’s all normal and that you are always there to help them with challenges.

Guiding your child’s middle school transition 

Encourage your child to be independent and responsible while still providing structure and security. Learning organization is also called “executive functioning” and it can take well into adulthood to master. Helping your child make lists or charts to get ready and pack their own bag and lunch (an independent morning!) is a place to start.

The most important thing when it comes to your relationship with your child (or any relationship!) is communication. When you talk to your child, do your best to validate their feelings and avoid passing judgment or minimizing their emotions. 

If they’re having a particularly hard day, it will likely make the most sense to just listen to them, rather than trying to solve anything. By doing this, you show them that you’re a soft landing place and that you’re really on their team. 

When it makes sense, encourage your child to see the positive aspects of any challenges they’re facing to build their self-confidence. For example, if your child is struggling at sports, take a moment later in the day to celebrate all the amazing work they’re doing in art class and tell them how much you admire them and their hard work. 

The below tips might also help your tween take on middle school. 

  • Tour the middle school with your child and consider making a school map together. 
  • Read through the student handbook together. 
  • Create a daily routine for your child with designated times for study, play, chores, and extracurriculars — or even better, ask that they draft one. 
  • Attend as many parent-teacher conferences and open houses as your schedule allows for. 
  • Keep track of the usernames and passwords to your child’s technology platforms. Limit their time on all devices and make sure they log on in public areas of your home instead of their bedroom. 
  • Focus on family meals when possible, everyone can take a tech break at these times.
  • Take the embarrassment out of puberty by talking about it early and often, respect their needs for different personal products and privacy. Make sure they have access to personal care products in their bag or locker.

More tips for the middle school transition

In the spirit of raising more independent middle schoolers, your maturing tween can also smooth their transition to junior high by…

  • Using an agenda to track assignments. Keeping an agenda doesn’t have to be boring! Bring on the sticky notes, colored pencils, and stickers to help get your child excited about staying organized. 
  • Participating in different extracurricular activities to meet new people and try new things. 
  • Arranging weekend gatherings with friends outside of school. 

Middle school presents a great opportunity to transition from the familiarity and comfort of elementary school before entering high school. With a balance of parental security and personal autonomy, your child can grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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]]> So your kid is starting fifth grade — here’s what to know https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/269950/starting-fifth-grade-heres-what-to-know/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 16:37:25 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=269950 Officially pre-teens, fifth graders are usually the oldest primary school students. While 10- and 11-year-olds often know the lay of the land and what to expect from their daily schedules, this year may also come with some uncertainty.

Here’s what to know when your kid is starting fifth grade.

What your child will learn in fifth grade

Fifth graders build on what they learned the year before. They explore many of the same subjects as fourth graders, just at a higher level. This includes reading chapter books, summarizing what they’ve read, writing stories, spelling, and expanding their vocabularies.

In math, students learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide four- and sometimes five-digit numbers. They also work on word problems, negative numbers, fractions, and decimals. Some kids will be introduced to algebra and geometry this year.

Other fifth-grade subjects include biology, geography, history, current events, technology, research, and typing.

Developmental milestones for 10- and 11-year-olds

Fifth-grade lessons align with the developmental milestones for 10– and 11-year-olds. This includes:

  • Better reading comprehension
  • Increased attention span and ability to work independently
  • Improved listening and verbal communication
  • Improved problem-solving and critical thinking skills
  • Interest in organizing objects and ideas
  • Becoming more independent from parents

As some fifth graders enter puberty, they may experience various physical changes, like breakouts, a first period, or needing more sleep.

Schedules, challenges, and changes

Here’s what to expect from your child’s fifth-grade experience and how to prepare.

Entering the pre-teen years

Entering the double-digit age group, fifth graders are officially pre-teens. While many children don’t begin puberty until middle school, some will start going through physical and emotional changes.

This is often an exciting time, though it can also be isolating for kids who mature earlier than their peers — and potentially startling for parents. Pre-teens may become self-conscious about their bodies, start caring more about material things, develop crushes, or even form romantic relationships.

Check in with your fifth grader regularly to see if they want to talk, are dealing with friendship conflicts, or need access to personal hygiene or menstrual products.

Homework and at-home learning for fifth graders

Fifth graders may have anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes of nightly homework, such as assigned reading, a book report, a creative project, or math worksheets.

You can help your child succeed by encouraging them to read other books that interest them in their free time. Parents can also incorporate fractions into home life. For instance, ask your fifth grader to divide a cake, pie, or piece of fruit into equal parts.

Independent play and personal interests

Fifth grade is when kids start honing in on their personal interests. This could include physical activities like riding a bike, skateboarding, or practicing trampoline tricks. Or it could be more creative, such as drawing or decorating.

Many 10- and 11-year-olds also start exploring different forms of entertainment and media, like having a favorite TV show, following celebrities, or watching professional sports. This is all perfectly normal, but parents can help their kids find a healthy balance of independent play, physical activity, and screen time.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Past articles from this series

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]]> So your kid is starting fourth grade — here’s what to know https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/269948/so-your-kid-is-starting-fourth-grade-heres-what-to-know/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 16:35:18 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=269948 Fourth grade is a big deal for many kids. Now among the oldest students in the school, they’re expected to learn at a more advanced level. Personal interests and friendships start to form and expand this year too.

Here’s what to know when your kid is starting fourth grade.

What your child will learn in fourth grade

Children often hear from older kids that the next grade level is hard. While it’s true fourth-grade students go far beyond what they learned as third graders, lessons are taught at an age-appropriate level and pace.

Reading, writing, and math

In fourth grade, most kids are no longer learning to read but rather reading to learn. They’ll use their skills to read chapter books, summarize what they’re reading, research new topics, and write stories.

Fourth-grade math typically involves times tables, fractions, word problems, and addition and subtraction with three- and four-digit numbers. Students will also learn how to read and create graphs and charts.

Other subjects

Additionally, fourth graders learn about geography, the solar system, technology, plants and animals, current events, historical figures, and cultures from around the world. They also work on their typing skills.

Developmental milestones for 9- and 10-year-olds

Fourth-grade schooling aligns with the developmental milestones for 9– and 10-year-olds. This includes:

  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Increased attention span and ability to sit still for longer periods
  • Taking responsibility for expectations at school and home
  • Showing empathy and having a “big picture” perspective
  • Expressing clear opinions and preferences
  • Becoming more competitive with other kids
  • Forming stronger friendships
  • Becoming more independent from parents

Of course, all kids are different. Some meet every milestone by year-end, while others might still be working on them in fifth grade and beyond.

Schedules, challenges, and changes

Here’s what to expect from your child’s fourth-grade experience and how to prepare.

Friendships, social pressures, and emotions

Fourth grade is a big year for social and emotional development. With a clear sense of self, kids in this age group often befriend children with similar interests and backgrounds. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though it can lead to cliques and peer pressure to “fit in” at school.

As some fourth graders enter puberty, they may become more irritable or conscious of their body image. Since most kids won’t start puberty until middle school, experiencing the changes early on could make your fourth grade feel isolated.

Check in with your child regularly about how they’re feeling physically and emotionally and whether they need support from an adult, such as access to period products or help working out a friendship issue. If they’re being bullied, let the teacher or a school administrator know.

Homework for fourth graders

It varies among schools and teachers, but fourth graders usually have 20 to 40 minutes of nightly homework. This might include a daily reading assignment, working on a book report, creating a diorama, or practicing flashcards.

Extracurricular activities for fourth graders

Fourth grade is a good time for kids to explore different hobbies and interests. It could be school-held sports like soccer, basketball, or baseball, private music or dance lessons, or an after-school program that offers a mix of activities.

In any case, extracurriculars are a great way for 9- and 10-year-olds to cultivate new passions, make friends, work as a team, and reduce potential stress.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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]]> So your kid is starting third grade — here’s what to know https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/269947/starting-third-grade-heres-what-to-know/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 16:32:35 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=269947 As a third grader, your child will officially be part of the older half of their elementary school. While “upperclassman” status can give kids a confidence boost, a new school year may still present some uncertainty.

To give you and your child peace of mind about what’s ahead, this guide will cover what to expect and offer helpful tips for making the year a success.

Here’s what to know when your kid is starting third grade.

What your child will learn in third grade

Third grade is a big year for learning. Here’s what to expect.

Reading, writing, and math

In third grade, most kids can read at an elementary school level. Teachers build on their current reading and writing skills with at-home reading assignments, book reports, handwriting practice, and spelling lessons. Students may also be introduced to online or library research.

Having mastered basic addition and subtraction in second grade, children will work on more complex math problems. This usually includes triple-digit adding and subtracting, times tables, division, and fractions.

Other subjects

Beyond language and math, third graders are often taught geography basics, such as state names and capitals and how to read maps. They may also learn about the solar system, weather and climates, animal habitats, and the scientific method. Some students begin practicing their typing skills this year as well.

Developmental milestones for 8- and 9-year-olds

Third-grade curriculum aligns with the developmental milestones for 8– and 9-year-olds. This includes:

  • Sitting still and paying attention for up to an hour
  • Speaking more clearly with a bigger vocabulary
  • Problem-solving and logical thinking
  • Showing empathy and having a “big picture” perspective
  • Ability to tell time on a clock face and digital display
  • Improved physical stamina and fine motor skills
  • More interest in hobbies and activities outside of school

Bear in mind all children are different. Some reach these milestones by the end of third grade, while others may still be working on them as fourth graders.

Schedules, challenges, and changes

Here’s what to expect from your child’s third-grade experience and how to prepare.

Friendships, social pressures, and emotions

Third grade can be tough on kids emotionally. This is a year when close friendships form, though they can also change quickly. And many students start feeling pressure to “fit in” at school. That said, your child may start caring more about material things, like the clothes they wear or the backpack they bring to school.

The year can also be a positive experience. Lots of kids look forward to seeing their classmates, and they often start socializing more with friends outside of school.

In any case, it’s good for parents to look out for potential issues with other kids. If your child is being bullied, let their teacher or a school administrator know.

Homework for third graders

It varies by teacher, but primary school students typically have 10 minutes of nightly homework per grade level. So, third graders can expect to have roughly 30 minutes.

Your child will be expected to keep track of their assignments, whether it’s a daily reading record, worksheets, or practicing flashcards at home. They’ll also need to know where and when to turn in their homework each day.

Extracurricular activities for third graders

Elementary schools often offer soccer and T-ball for students. Beyond that, art, music, dance, martial arts, and other sports will probably have to be set up with independent organizations.

Since public schools are usually dismissed by 3:30, parents who work full-time may want to consider an after-school program that offers a wide range of activities — kind of like a day camp. Extracurriculars are a great way for kids to make friends, explore hobbies, and learn about teamwork.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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]]> So your kid is starting second grade — here’s what to know https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/269945/starting-second-grade-heres-what-to-know/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 16:29:40 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=269945 As a second grader, your child will be right in the middle of their elementary school years. Moving up in the ranks can give kids a confidence boost. But a new teacher, classroom, and curriculum might be intimidating.

To help you and your child prepare for what’s ahead, this guide will go over what to expect from the school year and offer tips for making it as smooth as possible.

Here’s what to know when your kid is starting second grade.

What your child will learn in second grade

In second grade, teachers start discussing current events at an age-appropriate level. They also teach students about plants and animals, climates and seasons, historical figures, and different cultures.

Spelling, writing, and reading independently

Second graders build on the spelling, writing, and reading skills from the year before. They’ll explore letter sequences, practice sounding out more complex words, and learn how word roots and suffixes can help them figure out a word’s meaning.

Students will use their developing vocabulary to practice writing sentences and maybe even short stories. Independent reading is a big part of second grade as well. You can help your child at home by encouraging them to read books aloud at least a few times per week.

Developing basic math skills

As a second grader, your child will gain a better understanding of number sequences and digits through the hundreds. They’ll also be taught how to add and subtract one- and two-digit numbers and may explore simple word problems.

Developmental milestones for 7- and 8-year-olds

Second-grade schooling aligns with the developmental milestones for 7– and 8-year-olds. This includes:

  • Sitting still and paying attention for longer periods
  • Working quietly and independently for 30 to 60 minutes
  • Problem-solving and logical thinking
  • Following more detailed sets of instructions
  • Telling more detailed stories
  • Better understanding expectations at school and home
  • Improved physical stamina and fine motor skills

Keep in mind every kid is unique. Some will meet all milestones by the end of second grade, while others may still be working on them the following year.

Schedules, challenges, and changes

Here’s what you can expect from your child’s second-grade experience and how to prepare.

Friendships and emotions

Second grade can be a social roller coaster. While kids often start making close friends, it’s also common for friendships to change quickly. And many children begin to feel pressure to “fit in” at school.

Second graders learn about relationship management at school, and teachers and other staff can help kids work out conflicts. But when emotions run high at home, you can help your child talk through the issue and figure out a positive solution. If they’re being bullied, be sure to let the teacher or school administrator know.

Homework for second graders

It varies among schools and teachers, but second graders usually have about 20 minutes of nightly homework. It’ll typically be a reading assignment or a simple worksheet.

Ask your child if they have homework each day, and don’t hesitate to contact their teacher if the expectations are unclear. Also, make sure they know where and how to turn in their homework.

Getting-ready routine

A getting-reading routine can help your child feel more confident and prepared for school days. You can help them write a nighttime and morning checklist on a dry-erase board or draw pictures and paste magazine cutouts to a poster board. To-do items might include finishing homework, packing their backpack, laying out an outfit, and brushing their teeth.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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]]> So your kid is starting first grade — here’s what to know https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/269944/starting-first-grade-heres-what-to-know/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 16:26:53 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=269944 First grade is an exciting year! Your child is no longer the youngest in the school, and they’ll make big leaps in their academic and social skills.

That said, it’s completely understandable for both kids and parents to be a little nervous about what’s ahead. There’ll be a new teacher, classroom, and friends to meet. And for children who attended kindergarten at their daycare, this could be their first experience at an elementary school.

To help ease your nerves, we’ll cover what to expect, along with tips for making this year as successful and enjoyable as possible.

Here’s what to know when your kid is starting first grade.

What your child will learn in first grade

In first grade, children learn basic addition and number sequences. For instance, numbers 40 through 49 are essentially the same as 50 through 59, only with a different first digit.

First graders are taught the days of the week and how to tell time, both with a clock face and a digital display. They’ll also work on science, history, geography, and health lessons, all at an age-appropriate level and pace.

Spelling, writing, and reading independently

This is a big year for language. Most first-grade students can read at least 150 of the most common words and recognize them with sight (also known as high-frequency words or sight words). This means when they see a word, they know what it is by looking rather than having to sound it out.

First graders will practice spelling words up to four letters long and start writing in complete sentences. This is also the grade where many kids begin reading independently. You can help your child by encouraging them to read books aloud at home and sound out the words as they go.

Developmental milestones for 6- and 7-year-olds

What your child learns as a first grader will align with the developmental milestones for 6– and 7-year-olds. This includes:

  • Listening and sitting still for longer periods
  • Following slightly more complex instructions
  • Working or reading independently at their desk
  • Telling more detailed stories
  • Planning ahead
  • Problem-solving and logical reasoning
  • Understanding perspectives and showing empathy
  • More eagerness to please teachers and parents

Remember every child is different. Some kids will reach all these milestones by year-end, and others may still be working on them in second grade.

Schedules, challenges, and changes

Here’s what you can expect from your child’s first-grade experience and how to prepare.

Full school days

Your child should start feeling more confident as an elementary schooler and adapt to the daily schedule. But as mentioned, a full school day is new for some kids. It’s normal for children to be exhausted and even a little cranky at the end of the day, especially during those first few weeks while they adjust to the routine.

Homework for first graders

First graders may have nightly homework, usually a simple worksheet, a reading assignment, or just bringing an item from home for show and tell. Check your kiddo’s backpack daily and ask their teacher if you’re unsure about the expectations. Also, make sure they know where and how to turn in their homework each day.

What’s going on outside of school

Primary schools often offer soccer in the fall and T-ball in the spring for students. Otherwise, art, music classes, dance, and other sports may need to be set up with independent organizations.

If you work full-time, an after-school program might be a good option for your first grader, as public schools are usually dismissed no later than 3:30 (often earlier). This would cover the hours until you’re off work while giving your child the opportunity to make friends and explore hobbies.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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]]> So your kid is starting kindergarten — here’s what to know https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/269942/starting-kindergarten-heres-what-to-know/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:55:12 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=269942 Kindergarten is a big deal — and not just for kids. It’s a major milestone, and with it comes substantial changes to your family’s day-to-day life.

This is the first official classroom experience for many children, and even for those who went to preschool, it’s still an adjustment. It’s completely normal (and understandable!) to feel nervous as a parent. To help ease your concerns, we’ll go over what to expect and offer tips for making this pivotal school year as smooth as possible.

Here’s what to know when your kid is starting kindergarten.

What your child will learn in kindergarten

Children start learning the foundations of language in kindergarten. This includes drawing letters, tracing words, understanding sentence structure, what words should or shouldn’t be capitalized, and basic punctuation. These are the building blocks for independent reading and writing, which they’ll learn in first grade.

Kids also work on counting to higher numbers, identifying written numerals, and recognizing patterns. Beyond language and math, kindergarteners will have some age-appropriate lessons in science, geography, health, and safety.

They’ll also do lots of art projects and get daily physical activity, whether with recess, P.E. class, or both. And your child’s teacher will work with the class on social skills, like making friends, sharing, taking turns, and being kind.

Developmental milestones for 5- and 6-year-olds

What your child learns in school this year will align with the developmental milestones for 5- and 6-year-olds. This includes:

  • Understanding questions
  • Speaking clearly
  • Telling simple stories
  • Understanding the concept of time
  • Recognizing patterns
  • Hand and finger coordination (aka fine motor skills)

Fine motor skills for kindergarteners include things like being able to draw straight lines or circles on paper and carefully stacking toy blocks.

Schedules, challenges, and changes

Here’s what you can expect from your child’s day-to-day kindergarten experience and how to prepare.

Knowing the classroom rules

Parents usually get a breakdown of the classroom rules before the first day of school or during the first week. This will give you an idea of what your child is allowed to do and what’s expected of them. And if they happen to get in trouble, you can help them understand the teacher’s expectations.

Independent pottying

Whether the class takes bathroom breaks together or kids are allowed to go alone, kindergarteners are typically expected to potty independently. This means wiping, flushing, and washing their hands without help from an adult.

What to pack for lunch

Of course, you want to pack healthy foods for your child’s lunch — but that’s not the only important thing. Be mindful of their ability to open, unwrap, peel, and eat each item without assistance.

They should also be able to eat their lunch in the allotted time. Every school is different, but kindergarteners often have 20 minutes to finish their lunches before heading to recess.

Battling germs

Kindergarteners are notorious for their germ-spreading abilities. It’s nearly impossible to prevent all sickness with this age group, but you can try to keep it at a minimum.

Teach your kiddo how to sneeze and cough into their elbow (or what many early-learning teachers call a “cough pocket”). And of course, remind them about the importance of handwashing after pottying, before meals, and after sneezing whenever possible.

Energy and emotions

Kindergarten is most kids’ first time attending a full school day. With this in mind, you can expect your child to be exhausted at the end of the day — at least during the first few weeks.

Having to pay attention and follow rules for up to seven hours a day can be taxing on 5- and 6-year-olds — not to mention getting up early each morning and potentially riding the bus to school.

Your child might also be unusually grumpy or have meltdowns as they adjust to the new schedule. With no more than a quick lunch and a snack during the day, they could also be hungrier than usual when they get home.

Try to be patient, listen to your child, and work with them as you both navigate this exciting year.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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]]> What to do if your child refuses to go to school  https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/269739/what-to-do-when-your-child-refuses-to-go-to-school/ Sun, 25 Dec 2022 12:43:30 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=269739 Nothing can derail a morning more seriously than a child refusing to go to school. While the problem might sound odd to parents who have not experienced it, school refusal is a growing issue that’s impacting more families now than in pre-COVID times. School refusal can include behavior such as outright refusing to go to school, delaying so severely that regular tardiness is common, leaving class to go to the nurse throughout the day, and requesting to be picked up early due to illness or some other issue. If you have an early elementary student who is either suddenly or gradually becoming more serious about avoiding the classroom, here’s what to do. 

Recognize the problem

For some kids, school refusal starts suddenly, perhaps at the beginning of the year or after a school change. For others, the problem starts gradually and grows in the frequency of occurrence until school and class attendance are becoming a daily issue. It’s important for parents to understand that school refusal is not a behavior issue — it’s usually related to underlying mental health challenges, specific issues at school, or a combination of both. 

Understand the cause

Once you recognize that there is an underlying cause to school refusal, it’s time to investigate what’s going on. Talk with your child, their teacher, and any support staff that knows them well to figure out if there’s something going on at school that’s prompting the refusal. Issues with bullying, social challenges, or unfavorable classroom conditions could be contributing to their school-related distress. 

If the school environment doesn’t seem to raise any red flags, it can be helpful to recognize that school refusal is often secondary to anxiety, which can be diagnosed and treated by a therapist. 

Sometimes, even if the school environment looks “fine,” it is not set up to be inclusive to neurodiverse kids. High-demand, overstimulating environments can be the norm in schools, which can cause deep anxiety and distress for kids who have sensory sensitivities or other issues. 

Create a team for support

Once you’ve begun to identify the underlying issue, you’ll want to put together your support team. Depending on the underlying cause, this might include a child psychologist, an occupational therapist, your child’s teacher, the school social worker, an advocate, or any number of other roles. 

Make good choices for your family

If you examine the underlying issue and determine that your child’s school is not a good or safe place for them (especially if they are neurodiverse and their needs are not being met) you may want to make a big change in your life. That might include choosing a different school or homeschooling. 

If you decide to remain at the same school, work with your team to create a consistent plan that works for you and your child. This might include cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, creating safe spaces at school, and identifying an in-school advocate that can help them feel safe at school. 

School refusal is challenging and, often, heartbreaking, for families who want their child to enjoy school and who struggle with the unpredictability that school refusal can create on the family routine. While the solution may vary from family to family, one thing that holds true for all is that you’ll need support. Talking with trusted friends and family members and your own therapist can help you cope as you help your child navigate this tough issue.

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