Did You Know- Back to School Addition 2025
The Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids, TASK, is kicking off another year of our Did You Know Campaigns. Our campaigns are focused on topics to support our community youth and the adults in their lives with education, conversation, facts, and resources. TASK is a non-profit whose mission is to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse and related harm – Keeping kids safe in collaboration with our community partners. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more tips and resources around our Did You Know topics each month. You can also sign up to receive our monthly newsletter at our website through the menu bar and selecting “Keep In Touch” and submitting your info. You can also find past Did You Know Campaigns and resources on our website- www.tahoesafekids.org
DID YOU KNOW it is normal for kids to feel lots of emotions about their first day of school, and it’s okay for parents and caregivers to feel uneasy too. As we are preparing to go back to school, There are many resources with tips to help youth and families prepare for the transition. There are different ways to help get you more organized, reduce feelings of stress, and make sure your child’s mental health is a priority this back-to-school season. Talking to your kids about expected changes, routines, and listening to their concerns can make a difference in how they transition.
DID YOU KNOW kids of all ages are excited, nervous, and anxious for the school year whether they talk about it or not? Check out this great resource from the Kids Mental Health Foundation with questions and a full checklists to help talk about and prepare for back to school- https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/school/mental-health-checklist
DID YOU KNOW routines can help set expectations and support kids who may be anxious or nervous? Setting up simple routines helps kids prepare and focus. Creating a routine including morning wake up times and bedtimes helps them start to get back into the school schedule. Picking out some good books for bedtime can help kids get excited and be a part of the routine. Having a family calendar and central place for school schedules, sports or extracurricular activity calendars and fun events to look forward to. Also helps to motivate youth.
DID YOU KNOW setting technology guidelines including social media apps and texting helps kids mental health? Back to school is a also a good time to set expectations with electronics making sure that schoolwork comes first. While setting limits and boundaries with electronics it is also important to talk about how kids behave online and what is appropriate and not appropriate online behavior. Once your child is using social media, have daily conversations by asking specific questions about what they are doing, who they are interacting with, and what they like and don’t like. Keep an eye out for hints that their level of sad or anxious feelings are increasing. Social media can offer benefits like stronger relationships, self-understanding and community, so it is important to monitor their use so it doesn’t become unhealthy or pose risks to children’s mental health. The Kids Mental Health foundation has great info around technology and social media – https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/technology-and-social-media/social-media-and-kids
For more information about TASK and the work we do and programs we support or to financially support TASK with a donation please go to www.tahoesafekids.org today!