Easing Back-to-School Anxiety and Jitters
Not ready for summer to end? Starting school again can be very exciting for many kids, but for others? It can be anxiety-inducing. This is especially true for kiddos who are starting school for the first time, are on the Autism spectrum, or who are starting at a new school this year. Want to ease your child's back-to-school anxiety and jitters? Keep reading to learn our favorite tips for what to do before, during, and after school, including how bubbles and sensory toys can play a huge part in their new transition!
Before School
The best way to ease the unknown, calm anxiety, and face things head-on? Preparation!
Preparing as much as possible before school is going to help your child with their anxiety and jitters in a huge way.
Some ways you can prepare before school include:
- Visiting the school site as much as possible, including simple drive-bys and attending any back-to-school-related events and activities
- Head to your local Facebook group to see if there are any park meet-ups happening for new students, or create your own
- Sit down with your child to prepare a routine schedule so that they know exactly what to expect on the first day of school
Other ways you can prepare your child before school in the mornings include:
- Include your child in lunch preparation for the day, including decorating their FlexBox with new charms for the day
- Talk about your child's daily routine and classroom schedule
- Don't rush your child; make sure you wake them up with plenty of time to get ready in the morning, especially in the early days
During School
Many children experience anxiety, jitters, restlessness, and attention issues during class time. One of the best ways you can help ease all of these things is by sending your child along with a classroom-friendly sensory fidget toy.
Disguised as a pen or pencil grip, our Spike Silicone Fidget Tactile Pencil Topper & Grip Combo Pack is one of our favorite classroom-friendly sensory toys.
Stick SPIKE on your pencil and twirl, squeeze, and squish your studies away. SPIKE can also easily fit in the palm of your hand as a discreet fidget tool.
Everyone young and old can enjoy Spike! Especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Focusing issues, ADD, ADHD, Sensory Processing disorders, and other Attention issues.
Perfect for the classroom, home, or office. Spike is great for students, teachers, parents, therapists, and more. Tactile and kinesthetic learners will love Spike, too!
Another favorite is our SPIKE Sensory Fidget Ball. Stick it to the top of your pencil or hold it in the palm of your hand! Nondistracting and easy to clean, this little ball is going to be your child's new best friend. Made in an adorable pineapple-like shape and three stimulating colors, kids (and adults!) of all ages won't be able to put them down.
After School
In the early days of the school year, your child may come home feeling overwhelmed, tired, overstimulated, and exhausted.
A great screen-free calm-down activity for after school to get them relaxed is by handing them our sensory bubble wand!
This simple activity offers numerous therapeutic benefits that can help improve our mental and emotional well-being. Blowing bubbles engages multiple senses and has a calming effect on our minds and bodies.
Bubble therapy promotes deep, diaphragmatic breathing. When we blow bubbles, we take in slow, controlled breaths, filling our lungs with fresh air. Blowing bubbles also encourages mindfulness and being in the present moment. When we focus on creating and observing the bubbles, our attention shifts away from our worries and anxieties.
Lastly, bubble therapy provides a creative outlet for self-expression. As we blow bubbles, we can experiment with different techniques, sizes, and shapes. This allows us to tap into our imagination and embrace our inner childlike wonder. The act of creating something beautiful and temporary can be incredibly fulfilling and uplifting.