Whether your child is exposed to the news of yet another school shooting, is entering a transition year — such as going to kindergarten, middle school, or high school — or is just nervous about starting a new school year, it’s more important than ever to support them with coping skills.

Studies show that when students are more emotionally grounded and supported, they are able to engage more effectively with their learning. That’s the charge behind social-emotional learning (SEL), rolling out in academic and after-school programs around the country.

Summer solstice has passed, and you know that means: it’s time for back-to-school. As a parent, there is a lot you can do between now and the first day of school to help set them up for a strong, comfortable transition and year.

At Colorado’s International Baccalaureate (IB) schools, whole-world perspective enriches the whole child.

Sean Kemp teaches music to students from morning to night at Flagstaff Academy in Longmont. Sondra Blanchard juggles over 1,000 musical instruments students can rent at HB Woodsongs in Boulder. At Classical Tones in Broomfield, Alena Kamchatna works with all age levels from 5 years old to college bound. Ask any of them why they work so hard to teach music to young people and they will answer as Sean does: “Because it’s worth it.”