Settling children back at school

HELPING YOUR CHILD SETTLE AT SCHOOL

Children pick up on their parent’s emotions, so on the first day of school make sure you are positive and in the right frame of mind. Save the tears till after they’ve gone into their class

With most of our children having a longer time away from nursery and school than ever before, it is a worry for some parents as to how they will settle back at school this month…

As parents, there is nothing that makes us more nervous than your child’s first day at school. With 2020 being anything but a standard year, this is even more so for school starters this month. Children entering reception class haven’t had the usual amount of time at nursery getting them ready and most haven’t had the chance to visit their new school or meet their new teachers face to face.

However, there are still ways to ensure your child feels confident and relaxed when they start their new journey this year…

ONLINE MEET AND GREETS Most schools have offered Zoom or Skype meet and greets which are perfect for your child to get to know their teachers and fellow students. Their teacher and any teaching assistants provide your child’s safety net while at school so you want them to build trust very early on. Just having a familiar face will help your child on their first day of school.

The teacher will also be responsible for keeping an eye on your child and identifying and worries or anxieties they are having. So having a good relationship with the teacher yourself is very important.

ENCOURAGE FRIENDSHIPS AND BONDING WITH OTHER CHILDREN The friendships your children make at school can last a lifetime. It is important to support and encourage your children to make friends with their classmates early on. When at home, play games that help them to understand the principles of sharing and taking turns as well as being kind and compassionate to others.

When the school has started, set up playdates at home or picnics with their friends. By showing your child that you like their friends it encourages them to carry on with the forming of friendships. The most important thing is not to force friendships on them with other children because of your own social standing or friendship groups. These friendships could be too forced and could, in fact, put your child off socialising.

There are ways to ensure your child feels confident and relaxed when they start their new journey this year

ESTABLISH A ROUTINE If this is your first child starting school you will soon realise that getting your child ready in the morning can be one of life’s most frustrating chores. By setting a routine before they start school, this should help with the process. Getting your child to wake up, get out of bed and get dressed independently as well as eating meals and snacks at the same time as the school will help them acclimatise to their new surroundings.

By taking your child school clothes shopping will also help to build the excitement. Let them pick their own schoolbag, (if allowed) pencil case, etc, so they feel comfortable when they go in on their first day. You could also include a family picture in their pencil case or school bag as a little reminder of home and can help to ease the anxiety.

ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE Helping your child build independence is extremely important for their future and builds their resilience. By encouraging your child to do everyday tasks themselves such as introducing themselves to new people, asking for help and packing their own school bags will help them build independence. This will help them reduce their anxiety in the long run as they will have confidence in themselves in new situations such as moving classes, learning new things and changing into different uniforms.

HAVING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE Children pick up on their parent’s emotions, so on the first day of school make sure you are positive and in the right frame of mind. Save the tears till after they’ve gone into their class. Have something positive for your child to come home to on the first day – it doesn’t have to be big, just a little treat, and remember to talk about their day and their experiences.

Gentle and positive coaching will help your child integrate into school life. It can also help them build self-esteem to try hard at everything and to never give up. Perseverance is a great trait to have, so make sure they get recognition for it.

And finally, don’t dismiss any worries or fears they may have. Allow them to ask lots of questions and answer them honestly and openly. Remember, a lot of the anxiety your child might have is that you might find their problems silly. Reassure your child that you understand every one of their worries and that everything will be fine.