Traditions help to ease back-to-school transition

The hectic back-to-school period is more than just a parade of to-do lists, errands and scheduling dilemmas for mother-of-two Natalie Romero.

It also happens to be one of her family’s favourite times to share special moments before the chaos of classes, homework and after-school activities take over their lives.

It will include a day trip to Toronto from their home in Guelph, Ont., brand new shoes, and in the early days of September, a visit to a favourite water park.

It’s an annual tradition that mirrors Romero’s own motherdaughter excursions that she had as a kid.

“I can actually remember many of my first-day-of-school outfits because it was such a special experience for us,” says Romero, who runs the blog Tales from Mummyland.

“It was about the whole experience of going shopping and having lunch together and going somewhere that we don’t go very often.”

She believes establishing fun back-to-school traditions can be a great way to help kids feel more secure about something that can be very stressful — whether they are starting school for the first time, changing schools, or advancing to a daunting new grade.

The rituals don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, but they do need to be tailored to each student, says early learning expert Charles Pascal, a professor of applied psychology the University of Toronto.

“It really depends on the nature of the child,” says Pascal, whose own family traditions included going to a favourite restaurant in the days leading up to the first day of school.

“That first day back in school is about making the unfamiliar, familiar. Top-of-mind for kids going back to school is: Is my best friend in any of my classes?”

If the child is entering a new school environment, Pascal recommends visiting the school grounds and classrooms beforehand so it doesn’t feel too strange.

See if they can meet their new teacher, if they don’t already know them, and start practising new routines that will be in full swing come September. And keep things light and fun. “You want to make conversations about school enjoyable and fun rather than (with) an underlayer ... of pressure,” he says.

Popular traditions include one last trip to an amusement park, the cottage, or other favourite spot; a photo session in their new school outfit; a special dinner the night before; buying a small inexpensive gift like a journal or pen.