Starting school can be stressful for kids. Laura Allen, Director of Whole Child for Tacoma Public Schools, joined Q13 recently to share advice on how families can help kids work through their nerves on the first day of school.

Her tips include: 

-Talk to your kids; ask open-ended questions and validate their fear.
-Share your sense of calm and bravery: “Yes, this is scary, but we can do hard things.”  
-Cope ahead:  Walk around your school or find a class friend to hang out with before the first day, if possible.
-Let your child come up with solutions with you.
-Exercise. It helps complete the stress cycle.
-Enroll right away in extra-curricular activities. The need to belong lives in all of us.