Guide

Strategies for Parents & Teens: Back to School

Support your teen as they navigate the start of the school year.

Last Updated: September 12, 2023

Guide

Language

English — US

Subject

Advisory

Culture & Identity

Strategies For Parents And Teens: Back To School cover with grandma hugging grandkids outside of school

Strategies for Parents & Teens: Back to School

Date of Publication: September 2023

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This guide provides resources to help you support your teen in developing a reflective and caring mindset during the opening days of the school year. It includes conversation starters and other strategies to foster open, supportive, and reflective dialogue between you and your teen that focuses on community and empathy and works to reinforce the values and principles that help create a caring community.

This guide seeks to help you and your teen:

Build meaningful connection

Navigate the start of the school year

Be caring and empathetic community members

Activity

This mood meter activity develops students’ vocabulary for describing their feelings and their empathy muscles.

Activity

Students practice gratitude by naming and recording three good things that have happened that day.

Two students look to the front of the classroom with smiles on their faces.

Activity

Students use poetry as a spark for reflection and discussion about what’s happening in their lives and the world.

Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.

Activity

Students practice debate and perspective taking by taking a stand on a controversial statement.

Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.

Activity

Students reflect on the day by asking them to share an appreciation, an apology, and an “aha” moment.

Activity

Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.

A Facing History journal sits on top of a student guide for Choices in Little Rock.

Activity

Students reflect on the past year and generate ideas for the kind of learning community and learning experiences they are hoping for this year.

Activity

Students consider what parts of our identities we choose for ourselves and what parts are chosen for us, as well as the impact our names can have on our identities.