School Success Tip #3: Transitions*

Transitions are huge. Transitions are usually a source of fear and terror for children with traumatic histories. This is called transition trauma. Any new stimulus is coded as a threat until it can be deemed safe. Transitions are initially coded as fear; therefore your child needs help in regulating through the transition. As you reduce your child=s fear around transitions he will eventually be able to handle transitions in a more regulated manner. There are many transitions throughout the day. Getting out of bed, getting dressed, eating breakfast, getting in the car to go to school, and changing classes, ad infinitum. Your child=s ability to handle transitions sets the tone of regulation for his day. *Adapted from 10 Important Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Teachers - Heather T. Forbes, LCSW If you find yourself needing additional support and encouragement to advocate for your child, contact me for a FREE 30 minute phone consult when you subscribe to my weekly Christian Parent Wisdom http://bit.ly/nmOEXw and mention that you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your subscription order. I offer more school strategies and resources in my July 2012 Love in Action Newsletter - Back to School Resources at http://bit.ly/nNyPn6

School Success Tip #2 Set Your Expectations Based on Your Child's Emotional Age*

If you encounter significant challenging behaviors with your child, then your child=s emotional age will be very different from the grade that he is going into. Children with traumatic histories bring their histories into the school room with them. Having realistic expectations based on your child=s emotional age will significantly reduce pressure from you at home. This includes social expectations. Your child may not feel safe socially at school. Besides making accommodations for this at school, you can arrange small social interactions with your child outside of school. Appropriate expectations in the classroom will help your child grow out of his regressed developmental level. *Adapted from 10 Important Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Teachers - Heather T. Forbes, LCSW If you find yourself needing additional support and encouragement to advocate for your child, contact me for a FREE 30 minute phone consult when you subscribe to my weekly Christian Parent Wisdom http://bit.ly/nmOEXw and mention that you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your subscription order. I offer more school strategies and resources in my July 2012 Love in Action Newsletter - Back to School Resources at http://bit.ly/nNyPn6