Start the School Year Strong with PBS Resources
Back to school can be a stressful – and exciting – time for parents and students, especially with the uncertainty of how this school year is going to look. But even with all the changes, one thing is the same… your local PBS station is here to provide you with the resources and support you need to get you through a new year of school! Check it out:
Back to School Checklist
Help your child prepare for their first day of school by practicing skills such as getting ready in the morning, packing a backpack, getting to and from school every day: https://www.pbs.org/parents/printables/back-to-school-checklist.
First Week of School Planner
Plan for the first week of school with this printable planner that will help everyone know what to expect: https://www.pbs.org/parents/printables/first-week-of-school-planner.
Setting a Routine for Success at School
Help reduce your child’s anxiety and help them feel empowered by establishing a predictable and consistent routine. When they know what to expect, and what’s expected of them, kids feel more comfortable and confident about what lies ahead: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/setting-a-routine-for-success-at-school.
Helping Your Child Make Friends
As we return to our new normal after many unknowns, parents are wondering how to best prepare young children to make friends outside of their home. Here are some tips for helping kids make friends and build social resilience in this transition time after a tough year: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/helping-your-child-make-friends-again.
You Are Brave and Kind: Helping Your Child Get Ready for the First Day of School
The first day of school is a transition, and transitions — even good ones — create stress. It takes a lot of energy to adjust to a new routine and get to know new teachers and classmates. Here are three strategies for helping your child get ready for a new year: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/you-are-brave-and-kind-helping-your-child-get-ready-for-the-first-day-of-school.
How to Help Your Child Successfully Transition Back to School
Parents are often worried about how children will respond to a return to their school or childcare programs. Kids will need your empathy and support as they transition. Here are 10 ways you can help: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-help-your-child-successfully-transition-back-to-school.
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” Songs to Manage Feelings
Little ones can have big feelings. As grown-ups, we have the opportunity to guide our young children when they’re upset, helping them find ways to name feelings, manage meltdowns and understand their sometimes overwhelming emotions. When we connect children with coping strategies, we give them an early start to a lifetime of verbalizing their feelings in healthy ways that honor themselves — and those around them: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/daniel-tigers-neighborhood-songs-for-every-kind-of-meltdown!
How to Cope With After-School Meltdowns
Going to school can be completely exhausting for many kids. The school day can be physically, emotionally and mentally draining and, by the time they get home from school, they are quick to fall apart. Here’s how you can help your kids cope with the overwhelming emotions that settle in after the day is over: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-cope-with-after-school-meltdowns.
Five Ways to Beat Back-to-School Jitters
While many children will enter the first day of school without a worry, it does help to spend time focusing on the emotional needs of your child as the transition approaches. Take these steps to help your child prepare for a new school year: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/five-ways-to-beat-back-to-school-jitters.
Back To School Games
Engage your kids in the back to school process by helping them prepare with these games from PBS Kids: https://pbskids.org/games/back-to-school
If you’re a parent or a teacher looking for educational resources, here are a few of our favorite local collections:
Back to School PBSLearningMedia
Get ready for the start of school with some of our favorite back-to-school resources! This collection features activities and video resources to help students get to know each other and their new school routines, and lesson plans to help you get your new class off to a great start: https://thinktv.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/back-to-school-collection/.
STEM
By setting high expectations of achievement for our youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math today, we are creating future generations of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. Use the resources below to engage students and help them master the concepts and skills needed to succeed academically: https://www.cetconnect.org/education/stem/.
SEL
Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning, and enhances students’ ability to succeed in school, careers, and life. SEL improves academic achievement, helps students develop positive behaviors, improves student attitudes toward school, and helps to reduce depression and stress among students.
The following video series were produced by ThinkTV in partnership with the Montgomery County Education Service Center and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), with contributions by SEL thought leaders from around the country. Each video series is designed to help educators understand and implement SEL in a variety of education settings, adopting best SEL practices for both students and themselves.
REACH
REACH is a self-paced interactive reading program to engage parents and children as at-home reading partners. Designed by classroom reading specialists and aligned with kindergarten through third grade standards, these self-paced interactive lessons are enjoyable for all ages and a perfect way to build reading skills at home: https://thinktv.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/reach/.
Virtual Summer Camps
Designed for grades PreK-3, these camps are fun for the whole class! Get ready for the first day of school with our four camps, each with field trips, crafts, hands-on activities and your favorite PBS KIDS characters: https://thinktv.org/camp/.
For The Love of EdTech
We are thrilled to announce that SOITA, ThinkTV and CET are collaborating to produce a new podcast called For the Love of EdTech. This podcast, which premieres September 23, will introduce educators to the wide and developing world of educational technology through expert advice, guest interviews, additional resources and much more! We are beyond excited to debut this cross-organizational project and are looking forward to seeing what you think. Stay tuned for more news and announcements!
