“Everything must change. Nothing stays the same. Everyone must change. No one stays the same.” As I listen to Barbara Streisand sing these inspiring lyrics I think about the school year and change. A new year brings with it change, which for me as a mom and professional is quite daunting and exciting at the same time.
The start of the school year is a new beginning for children, parents, and teachers. Most of us go into it with apprehension. We still feel the warmth of summer, a time when we are more relaxed, and off of our regular routines. Now before we know it time to get back into the groove!
The beginning of the school year also coincides with the Jewish new year. We are meant to use this time to reflect and think about what we want for the coming year ahead and how we can renew ourselves. This is what the month of Elul is for. As a special friend of mine put to me today we want to create a vision and that vision is what will help us grow. As we all know growth is one of the pillars of Judaism.
As moms and educators some of the growth that we experience is often sparked by children - our own children and our students! The other night I listened as my beautiful 10 year old daughter shared her feelings about starting a new school year. My husband and I just listened. It wasn’t a time for solutions it was time to show her empathy. As a professional what I try to impart to parents is that we don’t always have the solutions. We sometimes just need to listen.
Our daughter then wrote her “goals” for the school year. For this bright young lady writing has a calming effect.
Here are two tips that can help children deal with change:
1. Listen to children and empathize with them.
2. Help children transform their fear of change into a vision. Whether it’s through writing, drawing a picture or talking about it, children like adults need to find what works for them.
Studies show that as the brain develops, a child is constantly learning how to mediate and manage the different kinds of changes or what we call at school transitions. Children thrive on structure and consistency making transitions sometimes difficult for them. There are the big ones like starting a new school year, moving to new house, welcoming a new baby to the family, divorce, loss or the small ones like waking up in the morning to go to school, going from recess to learning in the classroom, and many others.
As we ease into the school year I am really looking forward to sitting down with some of our students to hear their vision for the year. The coming weeks will be filled with newness and change for all of us! Let’s support one another as we embark on a year filled with amazing growth and potential.
With love,
Beth
Everything Must Change by
Barbara Streisand
https://youtu.be/pYxwF9AOya4
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