Resuming school after a long break can be difficult for many children. While some children do welcome the new change happily there are a few who feel disturbing to go out from the comfort of their homes. Back to school period generally appears after a vacation or when a child has stayed away from school due to health reasons.
Transitions can be upsetting and children may take some time to get adjusted to it, but it is an important part of their life and future development. Parents can do a lot to help their children get back into the school mood and settle down easily thus ensuring greater chances of children being happy at school.
Tips for parents
Some tips that parents can use to help their children get back to school are:
Preparing for school
- Make children aware of the schedule that would be followed once the school begins. Explain to them what they would have to expect from the first of their school.
- Make preparations before hand; get done with the shopping, uniforms, books, bag packs, snack boxes and other accessories. Ask your children to help in the preparation as it helps to build a sense of responsibility and the idea of going back to school sinks in well.
- If the child is returning to school after a long sick leave, try to be prepared with the study losses and be aware of the forthcoming events in school.
Ready for routine
- Clearly communicate the timings and the routine that would be followed during school days. Accordingly, fix up a home routine like going to bed early and waking up early, having a bath, exercise, breakfast, etc.
- Plan this well in advance and begin practicing several weeks before the first day of school. Let children be aware of how they would be traveling to school and what they would do after coming back home.
- Depending on the time they return from school, make sure there are healthy snacks or meals packed for them and some activities that they would enjoy. This will help them to unwind and avoid creating disturbances at home.
- Be enthusiastic and positive about the school reopening. Tell about all the good things that they can expect there and recollect the activities and fun they had during their previous years in school. This will make them feel confident and they will look ahead towards attending school more positively.
School days
- When the school begins, make sure you are ready before time and take some time off to drop your children to school.
- Give a loving hug and say a firm good bye and keep the ritual short.
- Introduce your child to their new friends and allow them to interact while you can talk to the teachers and take leave.
- If the school suggests or in case of very young kids, parents can wait outside for some time for initial few days. But remember that sooner the child mingles with classmates the better for them.
- You can arrange for a play date with class friends to help familiarizing.
