Beyond the Supplies: How to Support Your Child’s Communication Skills for School
August brings back-to-school activities for many families. They shop for supplies, clothes, and more. It may be easy to focus on these preparations. It's a great time to help your child with their communication skills as school starts again. Planning early can help your child feel confident in their communication. This support is vital in the classroom and at home.
In this blog, we’ll share tips to improve communication at home and school. This will help your child succeed.
Start Creating a Routine
Having a routine at the start and end of the day helps kids feel calm and ready. Create a picture or written list of tasks that you need to complete in the morning or before bed. Have your child check off the tasks to help them become more independent.
Add "alerting" activities in the morning to help you wake up. Use "calming" activities in the evening to relax. Scents can be diffused for different effects. Citrus scents are alerting, while lavender scents are calming. Movement can energize you with quick, rhythmic actions or soothe you with slow, resistive ones. Try wall push-ups or animal walks. Pair these activities with appropriate music.
Read books about starting school with your child if they are entering kindergarten or preschool. Even older kids may have concerns, and books can be reinforcing. Here are a few suggestions you may find at your library:
"The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
"First Day Jitters" by Julie Danneberg
"Llama Llama Misses Mama" by Anna Dewdney
"Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes" by Eric Litwin and James Dean
"How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?" by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
"Wemberly Worried" by Kevin Henkes
"The Pigeon Has to Go to School!" by Mo Willems
Elementary age recommendations:
"The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig
"Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon" by Patty Lovell
"The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!" by Mo Willems
"Wilma Jean the Worry Machine" by Julia Cook
"Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are" by Maria Dismondy
"Maybelle in the Soup" by Katie Speck
"The Secret Garden on 81st Street" by Ivy Noelle Weir
"What If...?" by Samantha Berger
"I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared!" by Julia Cook
"The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown
Establishing a Relationships with Teachers and Therapists
Your child’s school team is part of your team. Share details to help them understand your child better. Include things like what your child likes, their interests, and extracurricular activities. If your child goes to private therapy, introduce the professionals to each other. This helps them work together on goals and activities for better progress.
Ask what you can do to support your child at home with school and therapy tasks.
Find out what’s the best way to communicate with your child’s team. This may be emails or even a quick monthly check-in. Open communication helps everyone work together. This way, you can make progress or change anything needed at home or at school.
Prepare for IEP meetings. You're part of this team. You can share your concerns and suggest ideas. Request strategies that can be implemented both at school and at home.
Practicing at Home
It can be hard to find time for therapy activities when you have a busy schedule. Incorporate these into daily routines. Talk about what you are doing or seeing when you are out in the community. Let your child help with daily routines. During these, you can give directions or ask questions. Play games that include the words your child is practicing. For example, practice a word or sound every time you move a space.
Create quiet spots in your home to spark conversations. Try these ideas:
Meal times
A cozy corner with books or photos
Screen-free times or areas
A “conversation jar” with things your child likes to talk about. You can use this in these spaces or times to promote asking and answering questions.
Social Opportunities with Friends
Peers can inspire your child to communicate. They can be great role models, too. Set up playdates with friends. Plan a structured activity. This way, you can help model language and interactions.
Create pictures or written stories to help your child improve communication skills. You can easily practice new conversation skills. For example, when you meet a new friend, say, “Hi, my name is ____.” You can practice these at home before meeting friends or others in the community.
As you get ready for the school year, focus on your child’s communication skills. Early support can help them succeed at home and in class. Create routines, talk to your child's teachers and therapists, and make time for friends. Each small step you take boosts confidence and sets the stage for success. If you need more help or have concerns about your child's growth, please reach out to us. Let’s team up to make this school year about growth, confidence, and success!