6-5-4-3-2-1! The countdown is on: six more days until the 2010-2011 school year begins in the Snoqualmie Valley School District.

If your student attends a private school, you may have a handful of days to prepare; nonetheless, the freedom of summer will soon become the structure of hurried mornings, homework and earlier bedtimes. Start planning now, if you haven’t already, for a smoother transition back to school.

Connection: Ask your students about their thoughts and feelings around starting a new school year. Attending a new school, negotiating friendships, learning new concepts, and separating from family or caregivers may create uncomfortable or surprising feelings in students of all ages. Validate their unique perspective. If you are met with resistance, encourage your student to journal. Additionally, use this opportunity to share your own experiences and the emotions you experienced as a student. If approached with an open heart and mind, your time spent listening and sharing can lead to deeper connection with your students.

Communication: Call a family meeting to discuss routines, schedules and expectations as soon as possible. If your student is a member of two households, try to include the other parent in the conversation. Ask your student what you can do to make his transition back to school more fluid. You may be surprised by your student’s response. If your student has learning or behavioral difficulties, contact her teacher before school begins; letting time go by without addressing the issues may contribute to lowering self-confidence and seemingly unrelated behaviors.

Correction: After school commences, spend a few minutes each day to reflect on routines, schedules, and expectations. Make your own observations, as well as checking in with your student. Ask him for feedback by posing open-ended questions. Instead of “How was your day today?” and hearing a one-word answer, try “Tell me one thing about your day” or “What was the most surprising thing that happened at school today?” After gathering information, make the necessary adjustments.

(Extra) Credit: Additional ideas to kick off the new school year are to focus on healthy nutrition, including protein, fruits and vegetables. A multi-vitamin will give your student the brain power she needs. Encourage your student to drink water throughout the day and use the restroom regularly. Slip a note of encouragement or special prayer in your younger student’s lunchbox or binder. Text the same to your older student. Make sure your student has down time to read, practice yoga or otherwise wind down before bed-time without media. Model organization, self-care, and stress management; you are your student’s most influential teacher. Don’t forget to breathe! Finally, remember that the days are long, but the years are short.

• Information is courtesy therapist Rachel Van Cise.