Managing The Transition Back To School
The summer holidays are coming to an end, with many parents looking forward to their children returning to school (there is only so much Lego/craft to keep them busy for that long break, correct?). However, many children feel anxious about the prospect of going back to school, especially when a new school year starts.
For many kids, this is because it is new and unknown. What will their new classroom look like? Will their teacher be nice? What if the work is so much tricker than last year? Will my friends still play with me?
Because of this anxiety, it is not uncommon to see heightened emotional responses in the lead-up to these changes. This might look like regressions such as needing mum/dad more, or outbursts for ‘no reason’ (remember, anxiety doesn’t always present like typical anxiety - sometimes lashing out at our siblings can actually be an anxiety response!). Be patient with your children during this time, allowing plenty of ‘down-time’ to recharge before school.
How can you support your child through this transition?
For all grades:
Talk, talk, talk about school. The more you talk about it, the more comfortable they will start to feel
Get into the school routine starting the weeks before
Start getting into the school bedtime routine
Get up in the morning at the time needed on school days
Get dressed and have breakfast as you would on a school day
Have snacks/lunch around the same time they would at school
Go to the ‘meet the teacher’/’drop off’ days (if your school has this) to give your child the chance to see their new classroom/meet their teacher without the overwhelming emotions of the first day
Get prepared with all of the materials they will need (bag, pencil case, books, etc.)
Talk about what your routine will look like (i.e. wake times/leave times, etc.), getting your children to contribute to what this might look like and how to make the mornings/afternoons run smoothly
Allow extra time on the first day for parking/traffic
For kids starting school for the first time (Prep/Grade 7):
Drive past the school a few times so they become familiar with the route you will take
If you/they are going to catch the bus/train, practice taking this route a few times before the first day
For those moving to higher grades:
Talk about the new school year, including new teachers
Talk about the things that might be different from last year, but also the things that might be the same
Starting each school year is like starting a new job for your child. The best way we can help them is to be patient and listen to their worries/concerns. Validate their feelings, rather than dismiss them or push them away (“It’s ok to feel nervous/worried, can you tell me more about what it is that’s making you feel that way”?).
Happy Schooling!