Parent Resources

Supporting Your Child at Home

Parenting elementary-age children comes with wonderful moments and plenty of challenges. Children are learning how to manage big feelings, navigate friendships, solve problems, handle disappointment, and become more independent every day.

You don’t have to have all the answers. This page provides practical ideas and resources to help you support your child at home and partner with the school. Please check back, as more resources will be added throughout the school year.

Big Feelings & Emotional Regulation

Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling. Sometimes big feelings show up as tears, anger, frustration, withdrawal, or difficult behaviors.

You can help by:

• Helping your child name their feelings.
• Staying calm when your child is upset.
• Listening before trying to solve the problem.
• Practicing calming strategies when your child is calm.
• Helping your child identify what they can control.
• Praising your child for using healthy coping strategies.

Try asking:

• “What are you feeling right now?”
• “What could help you feel a little better?”
• “Do you want help solving the problem, or do you just need me to listen?”

Anxiety & Worry

Some worry is a normal part of growing up. Children may worry about school, friendships, making mistakes, separation, changes, or unfamiliar situations.

When your child is worried:

1. Listen
2. →
3. Validate
4. →
5. Encourage
6. →
7. Support

Instead of saying “Don’t worry,” try:

• “I can see that you’re worried. Let’s figure out what we can do together.”

If worry begins interfering with school, friendships, sleep, activities, or everyday life, consider reaching out to your child’s teacher, school counselor, pediatrician, or mental health provider.

Friendship & Social Skills

Friendships can be complicated.

Talk with your child about:

• Being a good friend
• Including others
• Respecting personal space
• Taking turns
• Handling disagreements
• Using respectful words
• Knowing when to walk away
• Asking an adult for help

Try asking:

• “What happened?”
• “How do you think the other person felt?”
• “What could you try next time?”

Focus on problem-solving rather than simply determining who was right or wrong.

Conflict, Teasing & Bullying

Not every disagreement is bullying, but every child deserves to feel safe and respected.

Teach your child:

1. Stop
2. →
3. Walk Away
4. →
5. Tell a Trusted Adult

Encourage your child to tell an adult if:

• Someone is repeatedly hurting, threatening, or targeting them.
• They feel unsafe.
• The problem continues after they have tried appropriate strategies.
• They are worried about another student.

Remember: Telling an adult is not tattling when someone is being hurt or feels unsafe.

Building Independence

Elementary students are becoming more independent, but they still need support.

Encourage your child to:

• Pack their backpack
• Keep track of belongings
• Check their homework
• Follow morning and evening routines
• Solve small problems independently
• Ask for help when needed
• Make appropriate choices and learn from mistakes

Instead of immediately solving a problem for your child, try asking:

• “What do you think you should try first?”

School Success

Small routines at home can make a big difference at school.

Create consistent routines for:

• Getting ready in the morning
• Completing homework
• Packing the backpack
• Preparing materials the night before
• Getting enough sleep
• Limiting distractions during homework
• Checking the next day’s schedule

Remember to praise effort and persistence, not just grades.

• “I noticed you kept working even when that was difficult.”

Calming Strategies

Practice coping strategies before your child needs them.

Positive self-talk:

• “I can handle this.”
• “I can ask for help.”
• “I can try again.”

Help your child identify two or three strategies that work best for them.

Helping Your Child Talk

Sometimes children don’t open up when we ask, “What’s wrong?” Try talking while you’re driving, walking, cooking, coloring, or playing.

Instead, try:

• “What was the best part of your day?”
• “What was something that was hard today?”
• “Did anything make you laugh?”
• “Did anything make you worried or frustrated?”
• “Is there anything you want help with?”

Sometimes the best conversations happen when we’re not trying too hard to have a conversation.

When Family Changes Happen

Children may need additional support when their family experiences a change such as:

• Divorce or separation
• Moving
• A new sibling
• Loss of a loved one
• Changes in family structure
• A significant illness
• Another stressful family event

Children may show stress through changes in behavior, emotions, sleep, school performance, friendships, or physical complaints.

Helpful reminders:

• Reassure your child that they are loved.
• Give them opportunities to ask questions.
• Maintain routines whenever possible.
• Listen without immediately trying to fix the problem.

If you would like support during a family change, please reach out to the school counselor. Even a quick conversation can help us support your child at school.