Ready to Return - Back to School Basics
With all the disruption over the last year, you may find your child experiences some nerves next week as they return to school - this is perfectly normal!
We’ve put together some tips to support your child with this transition.
Start to talk positively about school in the run up to Monday morning.
e.g. “when you get to school on Monday, won’t it be great to see your friends?” “I wonder what topics you will be learning about this term?”
Acknowledge any feelings or worries they display in these conversations.
Explain that everyone experiences some nerves going back to school after the holidays and this year has been harder with the pandemic and lockdown.
Nerves are the bodies way of giving you a boost!
Talk through how they might feel on the first morning back - from feeling nervous walking into school to being happy at seeing friends.
Talk through the school routine.
What things need to be ready?
Get them involved in the preparations - sorting their uniform, setting the alarm, making a packed-lunch.
Over the next few days, start to re-establish the school routine if this has slipped during the holidays - start getting up earlier and going to bed earlier.
If possible, make yourself available after school during the first few weeks to support them through any worries.
Don’t forget they may wish to have time on their own too and may not want to talk through everything immediately.
Follow their lead and be ready to respond at whatever time they are ready to open up!
Plan some fun activities during the week so they can look forward to them.
e.g. a weekend activity, a walk with friends or family film night.
Don’t forget to also plan in times when they can do activities they would like to do - gaming, chatting with friends online or going to the park to meet friends/ play football etc.
It’s also important not to plan anything too intense after school so they have time to re-charge and ‘not have plans!’
Make sure you set aside some time for you.
We always say that you ‘can’t pour from an empty cup.’ It’s important that you think about your wellbeing too.
Make sure you include some time for you in the next few weeks - a catch-up with a friend, a takeaway so you don’t have to cook, some time out to sit quietly.
If you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing, involve their school as soon as possible.
They will have lots of creative ideas to support them and you!