Back to school - Tips to make the process easier for young learners.

Children experience so many mixed emotions when it comes to going back to school. Just imagine, going to your first day at a new job! Stressful, nerve-racking, exciting, RIGHT?

For children, easing back after the school holidays can range from feeling really excited to concern, fear or anxiety. It’s common for children to have some sense of worry related to going back to school. The first day of a new school year always feels like a new start. New school supplies, new classes, new teachers, new hopes and — for many kids — new struggles. Among the biggest fears of young children are feeling left out, being teased or saying goodbye to their parents at drop off.

Here are six useful tips to help make the process easier for young children:

1. Set up a back-to-school routine

We all feel much more at ease when we have some sense of structure in our lives. If I didn't have some kind of routine, I would've been all over the place!!! The same counts for children. Create structure in your child’s life with a solid school routine. Be guided by your knowledge and history of what best supports your child during times of change and transition.

So, what does your school routine include?

• What needs to be done each day for school like getting up, eating breakfast, getting dressed etc.

• What help does your child need from you to get ready?

• What they can do on their own? (Establish these together).

• The first week back can cause disruption from being in holiday mode so don’t forget healthy habits around sleep (around 9-11 hours for children aged 5-13).

• Having consistent bed and wake-up times helps too. The National Sleep Foundation suggests starting two weeks before the first day of school to set sleep routine habits. But a week beforehand will help get your child on their way.

2. Talk to your child about going back to school

Most children experience some kind of stress or anxiety related to school and RETURNING to school. They are aware of their past school experiences, so talk to them about any worries or fears they have about school. You can offer support by normalising experiences of worry. Provide reassurance to your child regarding their feelings and they will likely overcome them once they have settled in.

3. Help create a sense of school belonging

What Is a Sense of Belonging? The need to belong, refers to an emotional need to be accepted by members of a group. It is centered on gaining acceptance, attention, and support from members of the group as well as providing the same attention to other members.

It is believed that a sense of belonging in school can have an impact on academic success and learner well-being. Parents can encourage positive attitudes about school by setting an encouraging tone when talking about it. Also, show an interest in school life and work, and be available to support your child both academically and socially.

4. Be wake for signs of stress

Parents can spot stress if their child (depending on age):

• is more clingy than usual or tries to escape from the classroom

• appears restless and flighty or cries

• shows an increased desire to avoid activities through negotiations and deal-making

• tries to get out of going to school

• retreats to thumb sucking, baby language or increased attachment to favorite soft toys.

If these behaviors persist for about half a term, talk to your classroom teacher or a mental health professional. Work on a strategy of support, together. There may be something more going on than usual school nerves.

5. Encouraging questions

Be sure that your child knows, nothing is off-limits to talk about. Set up times to chat throughout the school term. Be thoughtful when talking to your children about school. Questions that seem simple, like “Did you turn in your report?” or “How did the math test go?” can be upsetting to them. If your child seems upset, take their feelings seriously: “I know this isn’t easy to talk about — how can I help?”.

Set up a regular time to talk and stick to it - avoid surprise school conversations. When children know what to expect, your talks will be less stressful. And you’ll be able to enjoy family time even when things aren’t going great in class.

6. When things do go wrong

Remember, if something does go wrong children may feel frustrated, sad or worried about disappointing you. Be kind and praise them when they’re honest about problems at school. For example: “I’m so glad you told me your paper is late! I know you were worried about it. How can I help?” It’s also important to make sure your child has time to just relax and participate in things they enjoy. A little success goes a long way towards building (and protecting) confidence.

If you want to learn more about these skills for successful parenting, or your child is struggling to adapt to going back to school, please contact me. registeredcounsellorannuschke@gmail.com