The first day of school can bring up a lot of feelings for kids with Dyslexia. They may feel nervous about starting something new. They may feel like it’s too soon and they’re not ready. Or, they may be excited about a new grade, seeing friends and new teachers.
During this transition, it’s important to prepare your child so they feel confident and comfortable on day one.
Here’s how to handle the back-to-school with Dyslexia countdown.
One week before the first day of school
✓ Prioritize back-to-school events
If your child’s school has opportunities for parents and kids to tour the school, drop off supplies, and meet the teacher, make these events a priority. Seeing faces and walking the halls will calm nerves or generate excitement.
✓ Start your back-to-school routine
Minimize sleep and eating disruptions by starting the school year routine a week early. Put your child to bed at their school time, and wake them up early so they can reset their internal clock from summer to school.
✓ Review the summer
Take time to reflect on the summer. Ask your child: What did you do that kept you learning all summer long? How did you learn in unconventional ways? What did you learn about yourself? Recognizing the positives from the summer and thinking about how they can bring that into the school year can make the transition seem less daunting.
✓ Write a letter to the teacher
Have your child write or dictate a letter to their teacher: What do they want their teacher to know about them? What aspects of school are most important to them?
Maybe they want their teacher to know that they hate being called on to read aloud or that they love to learn about engineering and learn best when activities are hands-on.
Your child can give this letter to their teacher or not, but the important thing is that they are thinking through how to communicate with their teacher and what is most important to them.
The night before the first day of school
✓ Get organized
Set out clothes, pack a lunch, and prep snacks. Get organized the night before so there’s no mad dash in the morning.
✓ Organize their planner
If your child is using a daily planner, take time to set up the first week or so of school. Talk about how to use the planner and the strategies your child can use to organize themselves. Set aside time in their planner to review the day together.
✓ Clear communication
Talk about how they’re feeling. Create a plan to address any nerves. If they are young, would having a favorite small toy in their backpack be helpful? If they are older, what strategies will help them get through the difficult parts of the day?
The morning of the first day of school
✓ Take a picture
The first day of school picture may be more for you but recognize the event.
Get silly with it, and share the photo with friends and family.
✓ Plan a fun after-school-activity
Work with your child to plan an activity they can look forward to after school is out. Maybe you head right to the grocery store to get ingredients for homemade pizza. Perhaps they want to have a family Mario Kart race. Or, meet a friend at a local trampoline park. Plan an activity that will help them wind down from the day and work out any lingering jitters.
🎉 You’ve got this!
When your child gets on the bus or steps out of the carpool line, know that you’ve prepared them for a successful first day of school.
Lexicminds.com can put you in touch with a qualified tutor or advocate. All you have to do is fill out this form.
Printables
Option 1: Pastel Back-to-school with Dyslexia Calendar
Key Takeaways
- Thoughtful preparation, from attending school events to establishing routines, can significantly reduce first-day-of-school anxiety for children with Dyslexia.
- Effective communication with teachers through letters or meetings guarantees your child’s needs are understood and met.
- Celebrating the first day with fun activities and positive reinforcement helps your child associate school with positive experiences.
- Tools like visual schedules and planners can help your child feel organized and confident.
Written by: Samantha Cleaver
Samantha Cleaver, PhD, has more than 15 years of expertise in reading disabilities, including Dyslexia. She has taught students with Dyslexia in elementary and middle school and has worked as a school-level director of special education.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Please consult with a licensed professional when in doubt. Lexicminds is not liable for actions taken from this page.
