It’s that time of year again when school is looming and the summer holidays are drawing to an end.
Going back to school after a long break is normally very exciting for children. They look forward to meeting up with old friends and making new ones, the buying of books, stationery and school clothes is always something to look forward to.
However, returning to school for some can be filled with trepidation and fear, culminating in high levels of stress and anxiety, due to concerns about making new friends, being with the right crowd or how they are going to cope with the challenges of a new academic school year. This can be especially true of older students starting exam years.
A long period away from school can result in anxiety even for the most confident children. It is important that as parents and educators we acknowledge that going back to school can be stressful. We should put into place as many elements that can contribute to alleviate this stress for the return to school and to look forward to a successful school year.
Everything that can be put in place to alleviate stress and the challenges of returning to school is essential.
Involve the whole family and initially begin by reestablishing everyday routines – the most important one being reintroducing regular and effective sleep patterns. In the days leading up to the start of the school year, children of all ages should begin a sleep routine that is equal in length to their school day. Sleep is essential for all aspects of a child’s life and the correct amount of sleep ensures optimum cognitive learning can take place. It is crucial to remember that research carried out by the Sleep Foundation recommends that children up to the age of 19 years old require between 9-11 hours of sleep a day.
Start a detox of screens for the whole family. It is easy over the summer to allow screen time to have increased and children to be on screens for longer periods of time whether it be iPhones, tablets or gaming. Now is the time to reintroduce rules for screen time and to sit down as a family to talk about these so that all concerned are involved. Some children can have extreme anxiety about this matter, and it is important that routines are explained and put in place over a period of time. Using screens prior to sleep has been proven to negatively affect sleep patterns and it is vital to take this into account when establishing screen usage times.
Daily family routines can be drawn up as part of a family timetable. The whole family will therefore know exactly what is happening and important events can be highlighted, including birthdays and school holidays so that the school year ahead does not become too daunting! This allows the opportunity to reintroduce family meals, especially breakfast which is considered the most important nutritional meal of the day for academic achievement, cognitive development and mental health. This can bring the whole family back together daily and creates a feeling of comfort and calm.
One of the most important aspects of ensuring a positive smooth return to school is to ensure that all your children feel informed and involved in their return to school. Share all back to school details that you receive from the school, talk about how the first school day and week should progress and talk openly about any of their concerns or queries.
School days are referred to as the best days of our lives and it is important to do all that we can to ensure that all our children have just such an experience. This starts with the first day of school by ensuring that they are rested, well prepared and mentally ready for the challenges of the year ahead.
“You’re off to a great place! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”
Dr Seuss
By Penelope Best,
International Education Consultant
