September has arrived and the summer holidays are coming to an end!
The time has come for all of us to prepare for the return to our daily lives and for the start of the new school year!
The transition from the comfort and relaxation of the holidays to the routine of school life can be exciting but can also hide various challenges for children as they need to readjust to the pace and demands of school.
As parents, our support and guidance during this transition period is vital to children’s adjustment and even their success as the year progresses.
Here are some tips to help our children adjust to school life and us parents to facilitate a smooth reintegration.
Tips for returning to and adjusting to the new school year.
To help our children adjust more easily and to make the adjustment to school a smooth and successful experience for everyone, we can make use of some of the following indicative practices depending on the age of our child:
Establishing a stable routine: Before school starts, we gradually re-establish a stable daily schedule. We set regular wake and sleep times and schedule activities around the school day. This will make the transition to the school routine easier.
Open communication: We discuss with our children their concerns and expectations about going back to school. We listen carefully to children, reassuring them that it is normal to feel anxious or nervous. We show that we are there to support them and encourage them to express their feelings openly and seek support from us or from experts if they need it.
We organize the supply of school supplies: Together with our child – as part of their adaptation – we create and buy the list of necessary school supplies and make sure that everything is ready before the first day. This will help reduce last minute stress and ensure a smooth start.
Short recap: We spend some time on review and brief revision of previous year’s main academic topics. This will help our child refresh his memory and feel more confident when he starts the new school year.
We are gradually limiting the time spent on mobile phones and television:we encourage more constructive or even slightly school-related activities such as reading, creative work or outdoor play.
We boost their confidence: We encourage our children to believe in their abilities and face challenges with courage. We support them to recognize their achievements and learn from potential difficulties. We avoid criticizing their efforts and encourage them to find the solution they need on their own.
We are visiting the school: If possible, we visit the school before the term starts. This will help our children – especially the youngest – to familiarize themselves with the environment, the classrooms and the playground, but also to feel more comfortable on the first day.
We encourage social participation: We promote children’s participation in activities and groups that interest and please them. This helps them develop friendships and gain a sense of belonging to a group.
We discover new interests: We encourage our children to discover new interests and activities. This can provide them with a sense of adventure and new experience when they return to school.
Patience and empowerment: The first weeks of school can be difficult for our child. Be patient, supportive and celebrate his achievements, no matter how small. We encourage them to keep trying and give them time to adjust.
Healthy lifestyle: We make sure our child gets enough sleep, eats nutritious meals and has regular physical activity. A healthy lifestyle has a particularly positive effect on their mood, concentration, receptivity to change and overall well-being.
We develop stress coping strategies: We help our children develop stress management techniques such as deep and steady breathing, relaxation and positive thinking. We “educate” and prepare them on how to effectively manage the pressures and challenges they may face at school.
We maintain a balanced life: We help our children maintain a balanced life between school, activities and time for relaxation. It is important that there is sufficient time for everything and that it meets the real needs and wants of the children themselves.
“I’ve always loved the first day of school better than the last day of school. Firsts are best because they are beginnings.”
Jenny Han
