Heading back to school each year is an important milestone for children, parents, and the school community alike. A great way to highlight its significance is by celebrating back-to-school traditions.
“Back-to-school traditions are ritual, and any ritual is a shared experience which strengthens families because they give everyone a sense of belonging,” says Shelly Hummel, a licensed family therapist at Align Counseling in Wake Forest.
Many traditions evolve over time; some simply stand as something you specifically determine to be ritual. Many families observe in similar ways, making traditional celebrations seem like community-wide events: School supply shopping, fresh seasonal haircuts, ‘first day” photo-ops on the bridge…
Perhaps the most note-worthy benefit, however, of observing Back-to-School traditions is that it communicates to your child the significance of education. “I believe our routines for this time of year make going back to school special and lets the kids know how important school is to our family” notes Christine Barley, mother of four in Ithaca, NY.
So go ahead, rock that Happy Dance when your child walks through those doors. Sing loud, sing proud! Because believe me, the school community truly appreciates your support.
