Article contentMental preparationArticle contentFamilies should also help their students to be mentally prepared for back-to-school, says O’Halloran. Help them get attuned with their thoughts.Article contentThat might include things like:Article contentCreate a vision board – Have students create a vision board of what their summer was like, and then all the things they would like to do in the upcoming school year. This helps with goal setting.Article contentMake a plan – It can be very scary for kids to join new things, but it’s important that as the school year starts, we think about what clubs or social things we’re going to do this year. Not every kid plays sports, so try and find something that helps them socialize and creates a safe environment where they feel comfortable growing, she says.Article contentKeep touching base – This could mean going on a one-on-one coffee or lunch date with your child and asking them what is really on their minds. What are they happy, sad, scared about? Ask what three things coming up that they are most excited about. Parents can even keep a journal of their responses to later check in about certain topics. O’Halloran suggests that this is a great connection point with children aged six years and older.Article contentArticle contentTake time for family and self – Set aside time each day for activities like reading and family meals. This can really help boost mental health which then in turns boosts our confidence, says O’Halloran.Article contentMake time for exercise – Moving our bodies, whether we are youth or adults, also helps to build confidence. Find time for exercise, she says.Article content A simple thing like a positive affirmation on a sticky note can help build a child’s confidence. UnsplashArticle contentUse sticky notes for self-affirmations – O’Halloran, who considers herself the queen of sticky notes, says to put out reminders on notes, or in the phone, about things that will help build confidence. This could include statements like: “I’m going to introduce myself to somebody new today” or “I’m going to ask one question in class this week.” You could put up a quote for the week or a word of the week. Try putting notes on each other’s doors about something positive, she suggests.Article contentImprove self-talk – Often, says O’Halloran, we tell each other or ourselves what we’re bad at, so instead of saying “I’m bad at math,” we should try and say, “I’m improving at math” or “I’m going to figure it out.” Reinforcing positive self-talk starts at home, says O’Halloran. We need to get off the negative thinking. Focus on what we love because it’s not done enough. This is positive mental preparation for school and life, she says.Article contentArticle contentTeach good body language and active listening – Teach students how to stand with confidence – straight with shoulders back, and how to make eye contact with others. Also teach students good listening skills, like how to not interrupt, and to ask a follow-up question when someone is talking to you.Article contentWho is your safe person?Article contentStart with a conversation that helps your child find and establish a safe person, O’Halloran says.Article contentYouth will often find someone at school that they consider their safe person. It may not always be their teacher; it could be a bus driver, cafeteria worker, another teacher or staff member. This is someone they like and can share things with.Article content“Start asking children about this after about a week at school,” says O’Halloran.Article contentThen, if something troubling does happen, like bullying, the youth will know who they can go to to talk with and report issues.
How to prepare kids to deal with bullies by boosting their self-confidence
