Does your child (or you) have anxiety about heading back to school this year? Here are 5 easy ways to help you both ease those jitters and get excited.

1. Shop with your child before school starts. Let them pick out a new outfit they feel confident in and get school supplies they are excited to start using. Your child wear school uniforms? No problem. Shop for a fun backpack and/or accessories such as headbands and socks.

2. Fun family picture. Place in your child’s backpack, folder or notebook as a reminder of all the people that are proud of them and are supporting them while they tackle that first day.

3. Remain calm yourself. Refrain from showing signs of your own anxiety. Children are often more perceptive then we realize. Act excited and consistently talk about how wonderful this day is going to be rather then that fact that you will miss your child.

4. Redirect negative thoughts. When your child talks about nervousness or worries about that first day back to school, respond with, “I understand those concerns but there are so many wonderful things to think about too. What are the top three things that you are most looking forward to?”

5. Walk and/or drive to school (or school bus stop) with a friend. Before the day starts, make sure your child has someone with them whom is experiencing the first day back as well. Kids show amazing resiliency if they feel they are not alone. If possible, have breakfast with a friend’s family before heading off to the school building to both have fun and alleviate some back to school jitters!

Do you find yourself feeling like a broken record, repeating directions, rules and basic "common sense" to your child?  Is it difficult to even use the restroom without worrying what's happening in the playroom?  Here are the top 5 signs you may be dealing with a behavior problem:

#1:  My child needs constant attention, even if it’s negative

• I am constantly saying my child’s name, especially to “stop”
• I need to physically watch my child to make sure that he/she keeps his/her hands and feet to him/herself
• My child continues to call for me or others (adults and children), even when it is clear that the person is busy, on the phone or talking to someone else

#2: My child has difficulty making and maintaining friendships

• My child will not initiate or engage in play with a peer independently
• My child will not join other children in play at the park or in school
• My child often argues with friends and in turn other children do not want to play with him/her
• My child does not want to share with peers and as a result other children no longer want to spend time with him/her or parents do not want to schedule play dates

#3: My child is easily frustrated

• When presented with a challenge, my child gives up easily
• If there is a change in routine or schedule, my child will throw a tantrum
• When my child cannot verbalize wants and needs, he/she throws a tantrum

#4: My child has difficulty sharing and/or cooperating

• In school and at home, my child does not want to share with his/her friends
• My child does not understand the concept of turn taking –My child has no interest in engaging in play with peers

#5:  My child has a hard time listening to directions

• My child does not pay attention or focus when I give instructions
• My child ignores others when they give directions
• My child is usually distracted when given directions
• My child refuses to discontinue activities when given instructions for the next activity
• My child refuses to clean up after one activity before moving on to another activity.

These signs might indicate there is a behavior problem, but it's not something that can't be changed. The key is to find the root of the problem so that strategies can be put in place so and the behaviors go away!

Please contact The Successful Child at 917-494-0262 or info@thesuccessfulchildny.com, if you are concerned that your child might have a behavior problem.