Supporting the Transition Back to School 

Though the Fall has always been a time of transition for students, this September brings with it new learnings and adjustments for some. We are here to help you with some strategies on how to manage the stress of this year’s transition to school. 

We developed a workshop led by our Stress Management Expert, Anne Murray. She provided parents and caregivers with tangible tools and strategies to support their children and youth in their return to school this September. Please watch and share this important workshop with your networks. 

A three-part segment is airing on YTV’s The Zone featuring our Trustees and Child Psychologists.  Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell, Dr. Robin Alter and Dr. Kofi-Len Belfon are answering kids’ questions on mental health. Watch the segments with Dr. Becca, Dr. Robin and Dr. Kofi helping Z-Heads with managing their feelings and stress, dealing with change, feeling lonely and building confidence.

Some of our resources that will help you and your child manage fears and worries as we move into the Fall:

• Help your teen with stress
•  Helping stressed out kids
•  Supporting school resiliency
•  Stress Busters: "Magical" Practices for children and youth
•  Calming your brain to calm your young children’s brains

Other resources: 

• Making a Smooth Transition | Harvard Graduate School of Education
• How to Make Back-to-School Transitions Less Traumatic for the Entire Family | Learning (cbc.ca)
• 4 SEL Strategies for the Transition Back to In-Person Learning | Common Sense Education
• How to help your child cope with the transition back to school during COVID-19 | News | University of Calgary (ucalgary.ca)
• Returning to school after Covid-19 pandemic: How to mentally prepare your kids - CNN