Parents urged to start preparing children for return to classrooms Experts say parents can help build children's confidence Share Updated: 6:08 PM EDT Jun 1, 2021 Experts say parents can help build children's confidence Share Updated: 6:08 PM EDT Jun 1, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript LOCAL DOCTORS SAY THE KEY TO HELP THEM THROUGH THIS PROCESS IS LISTENING. THE WINDHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS CREATED A SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLNESS SUMMER PROGRAM TO HELP ITS STUDENTS ADJT USTO RETURNING TO THE CLASSRO. THREE SESSIONS WILL FOCUS ON AREAS OF SELF-REGULATION AND SOCIAL SKILLS, EXECUVETI FUNCTIONING AND LFSE-ADVOCACY, AND RESILIENCE DURING A PANDEMIC. >> IT HAS BEEN VERY DISRUPTIVE. M:TI CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGI, DRST LAURA LANDMAERN-GARBER, SAYS THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN HARD ON STUDENTS AS THEY MANEUVERED THROUGH CHANGES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM. SHE SUGGESTSAR PENTS SHOULD USE THE SUMMER TO EASE THEIR CHILDREN INTO PRE-PANDEMIC ROUTIN.ES >> GO TO THE PARK WITH ONE OTHER FAMI.LY GO TO THE PARK WITH ANOTHER COUPLE. HAVE A PICNIC OUT. BE OUTSIDE. TIM: A STATEMENT ECHOED BY DR. TRICIA GROFF, PEDIATRICIAN FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK. >> IT WOULD BE GREAT TO YOUR SCHOOL’S PLAYGROUND. GET TOGETH WERITH SOME KIDS. ESPECIALLY IF YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN PRETTY ISOLATED OVER THIS PAST YEAR. M:TI DR. GROFF SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO START A GOOD ROUTINE BY THE END OF SUERMM WITH BEDTIME AND SLEEP PATTERNS MIMICKING A TYPICAL SCHOOL DAY. >> AND IF KIDS AREN’T SHOWING ANY LEVEOFL ANXIETY, PARENTS DON’T RELYAL NEED TO INTRODUCE IT. AND MORE START THAT CONVERSATION THWI EXCITEMENT AND HOW FUN IT’S GOING TO BE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL. M:TI ANOTHER PIECE OF ADVICE -- DOCTORS SAY GIVE YOUR CHILD CONFIDENCE IN THEIR DAY BY SHOWING THEM THAT YOU ARE CONFIDENT THEY CAN DO IT. IF THE