Adriel Blog > August 1, 2024
Back to School Tips for Positive Foster Children Stories
The back-to-school season holds the promise of new beginnings with the opportunity to learn new subjects, meet new friends, and participate in various activities. Exciting, right? Usually, but for kids, it can bring an equal measure of anxiety about challenges like adjusting to new schedules, managing academic pressures, and navigating uncertain social dynamics.
For foster children, the stories can include even more pronounced challenges. While the prospect of new learning experiences and making friends is exciting, foster children may face additional hurdles such as adapting to a new school environment, dealing with past trauma, and feeling a sense of instability. Now is the time for parents to help set them up for success with positive stories for their school year.
We’ll share insights and tips on:
• Giving foster children stories that matter.
• Getting the lay of the land for the new school year.
• Laying the groundwork for success as they head off to class.
Families Give Foster Children Stories to Tell New Classmates
A stable and supportive family environment is crucial for foster children, providing them with the security and love they need to thrive. These children often face unique challenges, and a nurturing family can help them overcome these obstacles, offering a sense of stability as seasons and situations change. Even if the child is new to your household, creating memories together as they head into the new academic year can provide foster children with stories that they can share with new friends, helping them go back to school with confidence.
Get the Lay of the Land to Add Comfort and Confidence
Familiar surroundings and managed expectations can go a long way toward a comfortable transition into a new school year for foster children. That can include everything from knowing how they’ll get there and back, to recognizing people, places, and opportunities. Here are a few tips for assessing and acclimating to the lay of the land.
1. Know how they’ll get there and back: Check out the route and transportation options between home and school, which will vary depending on the school's location and the children's ages. Younger kids may walk with older siblings, join a neighborhood group, or walk or ride with you. Older kids may ride a bike, walk with friends, take the bus, or ride with a friend. For foster children, stories of past dangers or distractions might make this decision and preparation one of the most important components of going back to school.
2. Visit the school: Ask the principal or assistant principal for a tour – they're often happy to oblige. Walking in with familiarity and a sense of confidence about where to find things like restrooms, the office, the cafeteria, etc. can be very empowering.
3. Meet one or more of the teachers in advance: As important as it is for your foster child to recognize the educators, it is also extremely helpful for the teachers to be cognizant of the foster children’s stories. They can be great allies and trusted advisors throughout the year.
4. Review any published assignments and materials: It never hurts to ask questions. Understanding what your foster child is walking into can help you rally enthusiasm or even get ahead of challenges, for example, starting early on a reading list could help you recognize potential issues and work with the faculty to prepare accordingly.
5. Explore extracurricular opportunities: Knowing some extracurricular activity options available to your foster kids can be the start of a great conversation about their interests, talents, and aspirations. It can help you get ahead of family scheduling and requests your child might make during the year.
Lay the Groundwork to Set Them Up for Success
Alexander Graham Bell famously said, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” That is absolutely true with foster children. Stories of success hinge on anticipating and preparing for both the known and the unknown. In the case of back to school, it means addressing both physical and emotional aspects of the education process.
1. Shop together for school supplies: One of the classic rituals of the back-to-school season is shopping for and selecting school supplies. It’s easy to make it fun, bond with your foster kids, and make them feel special. It also engages them in the process before they show up at school and helps them achieve a sense of ownership of their experience.
2. Carve out specific study space: Create a quiet, organized, and comfortable study area at home. Ensure it is stocked with necessary supplies for a conducive learning environment. If you can make it a special, individual space for your foster child, that can be beneficial both for concentration and for their self-esteem.
3. Encourage a positive mindset: How your kids –especially foster kids- think about school can have a major impact on their experience once they get there. Try telling your foster children stories about your own positive experiences at school, encouraging positive conversations, and highlighting exciting aspects such as meeting new friends and participating in extracurricular activities.
4. Set goals and expectations: Having a focused conversation about what each child aspires to achieve, what success looks like, and what you, the teachers, and the education system expect is an important early step on the road to success. It helps avoid surprises and misunderstanding, provides motivation for progress, and creates milestones to measure along the way.
5. Open the lines of communication: Open communication is an essential element in virtually every aspect of foster care. As discussed earlier, the back-to-school season carries a range of emotions and challenges. It’s important to ask questions so that you can address concerns and fears and have a plan in case an issue does arise. Knowing you’re there to listen to foster children, their stories, and their worries goes a long way toward a more positive experience.
Creating New Foster Children Stories at School and Beyond
The new school year is a fresh start, filled with opportunities for foster children to create new stories. Making new friends, discovering new interests, and achieving academic milestones are all parts of this exciting journey. Continued family support is essential, ensuring that foster children feel secure and motivated to succeed throughout the school year.
Learn About Foster Parenting
If you are inspired by the idea of creating positive experiences and lasting memories for foster children, consider learning more about foster parenting. Becoming a foster parent means opening your heart and home to a child in need, providing them with the love and stability they deserve. Find out how you can make a difference in a child's life and create your own foster children stories filled with hope and joy.
