Giving Kids Confidence for the School Year
By Suzette Wimpy
As families finish their back-to-school lists this fall - backpacks, pencils, new shoes – there is one essential item many forget: social confidence. After all, starting a new school year is not just about academics. It is about navigating friendships, introductions, and first impressions. And for many kids, especially after years of screen time and social disruption, those moments can bring a wave of uncertainty.
Why Manners Matter for Mental Health
According to the Harvard Center for the Developing Child, kids need social-emotional skills just as much as academic ones. When children know how to carry themselves with kindness, make conversation, and introduce themselves, they experience lower anxiety, stronger friendships, and better connections in school and beyond. That’s where the National League of Junior Cotillions® (NLJC®) comes in. Through time-honored lessons delivered in a warm, encouraging setting, students learn how to:
- Enter a room with poise
- Introduce themselves and others
- Handle polite conversation
- Show respect in social situations
- Practice gratitude and inclusion
These aren’t just etiquette lessons, they are tools for life.
It Changed How My Child Sees Himself
Parents have seen the difference firsthand. “I enrolled my son, Clark, because I wanted him to have the opportunity to learn social etiquette, how to dance and be around peers in a formal setting. This was so he could learn the skills he will need as he grows into a young man,” says Patty Hoppenstedt, a Franklin parent. “He has blossomed through the program, and it has made such a difference,” she says. Alisha Erickson, Ed.D. Principal at Poplar Grove School, says, “I think etiquette, manners, and social graces are still important today because they help us treat each other with respect and kindness. In a world where things can feel rushed or overly digital, those little things, like saying thank you, making eye contact, or holding the door for someone, can really make you stand out. They help people feel valued and at ease. And they make everyday interactions smoother and more enjoyable. At the end of the day, it’s all about showing that you care.”
Why Middle Schoolers Need This Now
The middle school years are a pivotal time between childhood and adulthood—a season when kids are figuring out who they are and how they fit into the world. But it’s also when social pressures and insecurities can peak. Learning how to confidently navigate introductions, conversations, and respectful interactions gives students a social roadmap when they need it most. Cotillion helps ease the awkwardness of those in-between years—while building confidence that lasts well into adulthood.
A Fresh Start for Fall
As your family gears up for the school year, consider adding social wellness to the list of priorities. The National League of Junior Cotillions® (NLJC®) Junior Program for grades 6–9 begins September 6th, and the Pre-Cotillion Program for grades 1–5 starts September 27th. This year, there’s a special emphasis on welcoming more young gentlemen into the Junior Program. For gentlemen, Cotillion is a chance to practice respect, leadership, and real-world confidence, from introducing themselves to a teacher to escorting a partner politely during a dance. These skills build lifelong habits of dignity and character, qualities every parent wants for their son. Both programs offer a warm, encouraging environment where students grow in confidence, character, and kindness, because a healthy school year starts with healthy social skills. And those are lessons that never go out of style.
