Back to School Tips for Parents and Caregivers:

• Meet your child’s principal and all of the teachers your child will have.  With your child meet as many of the adults that work at or are involved with your child’s day in school as possible, i.e. counselors, bus drivers, counselors, custodians, kitchen help, office staff.

• Talk with the principal asking what the policy is on bullying. Learn about what the school does to prevent bullying and to foster a safe and respectful school environment.

• Ask your school administration for information regarding what the procedure is if a child reports being bullied.

• Ask for information about various ways that you can stay connected with your child’s teacher such as by phone and/or email.

• Discuss how you can reinforce bullying prevention efforts in your home, place of worship, and community. Let school administration and staff know that you want to work as partners in providing your child and all children with a safe and respectful learning experience.

• Consider how you and your child if they choose to can get involved in bullying prevention efforts in their school. Ideas for adults and students can be found here- http://www.jeremiahshopeforkindness.org/parents-caring-adults/action-ideas

• Get to know the other students in your child’s class. Volunteer in the classroom as much as possible.

• Check into community activities outside of school where your child may also meet others who do not attend their school.

• Work at giving your child tools that will increase their resilience and help them to feel empowered. You can find ideas here-

• Discuss with your child ways to respond to hurtful and disrespectful behavior as the target or as a bystander.

• Remind your child to befriend and include students who are alone, appear to have no friends and/or are targets of bullying.

• Send them off to school every morning with a positive and hopeful message suggesting they repeat it often during the day such as:

           –  I am lovable and I am capable

           –  I am perfect just as I am

           –  Or as a family come up with your own special saying or slogan that you say to each other as you each go off in your different directions that reminds family members of their value and  the love that you all share.

• Begin rituals that will give your children the opportunity to share their experiences at school such as:

             –  share or ‘show and tell’ something about the day at the evening meal (remember to include positive events and emotions when possible).  Suggestions for questions to ask kids about schools can be found here and here.

             –  discuss the day at bedtime sharing the “good” and the “bad” but always ending with  conversation that leaves them feeling hopeful.

             –  have “story-time” on the weekend perhaps as you enjoy popcorn, pizza or whatever your family likes to eat and as a family you share your experiences from the previous week.   

             –  share people, feelings, experiences, things you are each grateful for on a regular basis

• Practice the prevention tips found at http://www.jeremiahshopeforkindness.org/parents-caring-adults/tips

• Always give children the message that nothing is insurmountable.  View and discuss every challenge as a problem that can be solved.  There is ALWAYS hope, there is always something we can do to make things better. As parents and caregivers we can assure our children that we are here for them and together we can overcome any challenge. 🙂

Remember:  any effort you make that increases and sustains positive, supportive and nurturing relationships with your child, with other students, with staff and parents in the school and community is part of and will enhance kind and respectful environments.

Created by:  JeremiahsHopeforKindness.org