It’s that time of year again. School return is just around the corner. For some, that can bring feelings of excitement and anticipation. For others, there could be feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Parents might be looking forward to the return to routine, or feeling unsure about what the new school year will bring for their family.
Regardless of how you or your child is feeling, the return to school can be a challenge. It’s back to a schedule and routine that your child may not have had for six weeks. It’s back to a different environment, more people and noises, new challenges and relationships to navigate. There are a few ways you can support your child in the transition back to school.
Talk about it.
Start talking about it and letting your child know what to expect. Even if they have been to school before, preparing them for what’s to come is important. They might have a new teacher, new room, or new people in their class. Don’t underestimate the power of sharing information with them and making the unknown known. Remind them that it might bring up different feelings for them and that’s okay.
Validate their feelings.
If your child chooses to share how they are feeling, or you can see that they are feeling a certain way, acknowledge this. Let them know you see them and what their feeling is normal and okay. If your child doesn’t typically share how they feel, don’t pressure them to do this. Instead, you could reflect on how you’re feeling and why. Eg. Gosh, I’m feeling a bit unsure about everyone going back to school. It’s going to be different, you’re growing up so fast! But I am excited for you and it’s going to be a good year.
Regulate your own emotions.
If you feel your own emotions about the return to school are intense or overwhelming, help yourself to regulate through them. Take a walk in nature or slow some deep breaths, journal, speak to a friend or do a favourite grounding activity. Your child will pick up on your emotions, but this is a great opportunity to show them how you look after yourself in times of big feelings.
Be positive.
When talking about school, try to focus on the positive things. Share what’s going to be new and exciting, focus on things that your child likes at school, or people that they enjoy playing with. By doing this, we can shift the perspective a little and share in the excitement together.
Play out the percieved fears.
Play out your child’s biggest fears about school so their anxiety about the situation starts to dissolve. Be their prefrontal lobe and help them to look at things from multiple perspectives and help separate reality from fantasy. Explore and acknowledge each fear and identify the potential benefits to them if that fear was to come true. How would this challenge develop / grow them emotionally, socially and / or mentally?
Re–establish routines.
In the lead-up to school, get back into routine. Re-establish typical bedtimes and mealtimes. Start to prepare your child for getting dressed and ready for school. Even consider practising the morning routine under time pressure. Let your child know what is expected of them in the morning before school, and what they can do after school to wind down. If you don’t do screen time after school, suggest other activities that they can do – maybe even give them a list.
The return to school is tough for everyone. No matter how much you prepare, you never know exactly how it’s going to go. These tips might just ease the transition for you and your family. No matter what, be kind to yourself, parents, you made it through the holidays! If the transition to school is harder than expected, or you feel you need some extra support, please reach out. You can contact us here.
