It's that time! We’re checking stationery lists and can feel the excitement and nerves that come with a new school year dawning. So today, let’s discuss ways to manage that back-to-school anxiety.
It’s normal to feel nervous about the new school year, there are so many new beginnings, and that can be overwhelming. So, let’s go through some techniques to help prepare your little ones for all the new (and exciting!) adventures ahead.
1. Set a Routine
Try getting back into a healthy routine in the days leading up to the first day. Normalise a healthy sleep schedule to ensure a good night’s sleep, which will help the little ones adjust to the earlier school mornings. And make sure the kids are making the most of their last week of holidays by getting outside, playing, and being active. This will help regulate their feelings and set them up for the routine that comes with going to school.
2. Talk it Out
If your little one is noticeably nervous, ask what is scaring them about going back to (or starting) school. Listen, empathise, and let them know it’s completely normal to feel nervous. Help them find actions to help solve these potential problems by asking ‘so if X happens, what will we do next?’. Then spin the question and ask what’s something they’re excited about; is it making new friends or seeing old ones? It might be as simple as excitement about their lunch or getting home from school at the end of the day. This exercise is a fantastic way to guide them to healthier attitudes by acknowledging negative thoughts, problem solving, then looking for some positives too.
3. Face Fear of the Unknown
A wonderful way to help acclimatise your child to their new school routine is to practice getting to school together. Practicing getting to school together might alleviate some of the fears about that daunting first morning. Even better if there’s an orientation day where they can see their classroom and meet their teacher.
4. Add in the Excitement
Get your child excited about going back to school by involving them in the stationery and school lunch shopping. Get their input on what snacks they’ll take for the first week and let them choose a way to make their books, folders, and pencil cases their own. Help them decorate their exercise books with contact in their favourite colour or put pictures of their favourite animals or characters on them. Labelling their pencils and books with their name is another activity that will bring joy to the idea of going to school.
5. Wind Down Time
Transitioning back, or to, a school routine after a long break can be a stark shift from the relaxing and joyful days of holidays. To help ease this transition we have some methods to wind down and bring your child's focus to the present. You can start practicing these before school goes back, and then continue doing them with your child after school to help them be mindful after a big day of learning and socialising. Take a look at our Mindfulness Bingo Blog for some simple activities that help bring focus back to the present.
Hopefully this has given you some ideas of how to help prepare your little ones for going back to school. And if you’re looking for books to help ease the first day nerves, check out our 5 Books to Ease Back to School Nerves Blog here! You could read one of these as part of your wind down time with the little ones in your life.
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