How to support children during the start of school term

Whether it’s transitioning from one school to another, from Infant’s to Junior’s, or from Primary to Secondary, starting again in September is a significant milestone for both children and parents. It’s like embarking on a grand adventure, complete with new friends, brand new backpacks, and the promise of learning exciting things. As a parent, you want to ensure your child has a positive start to this journey. Many of us have already had a week of ‘Back to School’, so, let’s dive into some tips on how to best support your little one as they brave their new educational year ahead.

Build Optimism and Joy:

• • If your child shares any worries or anxieties or has had a tough start to the school week, listen attentively and reassure them that you’re there to help overcome any difficulties.
  • Try to keep positivity in mind when referring to school, and whilst it’s important to have a complete break from all things school related at the weekend, a few positive references can really help.

 

Encourage Curiosity:

• • If you have a little one just starting school, you could ask your child what they enjoyed most about nursery or pre-school. Connect those experiences to school. For instance, while at the local park, you could talk about what the play equipment or toys might be like at school.
  • For older children, you could discuss some of their favourite subjects and strike up a conversation about something they’ve learned in past school years that they really loved. Encourage them to think more in depth about that subject, and you could even consider visiting the library to pick up a book or two.
  • Discuss what they might learn at school and explore related activities at home. Maybe even ponder whether other kids have read the same book.

 

Focus on Relationships:

• • Mornings and bedtime routines are golden moments. Remind your child that you’re thinking of them. You could do this with a little lunchbox note, a favourite snack, or even something simple like a special keyring for their bag. Spend time every day allowing them to decompress and let them know that you’re there to help them with any of their worries. – After all, a problem shared is indeed a problem halved. If they know they can come to you about the little things, they’ll turn to you for the bigger ones too.
  • After school, encourage them to tell you their favourite part of their day. If they’re struggling a little, maybe ask them what they would do to make their day better, and see if you can bring in a few elements to help elevate their day.

 

Read Books Together:

• • If your child is a little one just starting school, look out for some picture books about starting school. Stories can ease fears and spark excitement about what’s to come.

 

Go Shopping Together:

• • There’s something super special about picking out a lunchbox, backpack or brand new stationery. These become special treasures reserved for school days.
  • Top Tip: Keep them just for school use to make them special!

 

Plan Ahead:

• • If you are supplying lunches, now is the time to think ahead to autumn days. Alternatives to sandwiches such as mini scotch eggs, sausage rolls and wraps are all fun options. Many older children like a warm meal, so things such as chilli and home made soup, or even pizza are great options to pack into a hot flask.
  • Having a lunch schedule to hand can really help mix things up and keep their interest ahead of the school day.

 

Create a timetable:

• • Familiarity breeds comfort. If you can, use a wall mounted time table for the week ahead, and use visual cues to help children who are able to read, see where they are and what they’ll be doing each day. This can also include family life such as hobbies, dinners, working hours for parents etc. The better equipped children are with knowledge, the better they tend to deal with the day to day.

 

Create a calm sleeping environment:

• • When it comes to calming down at the end of the day and getting ready for sleep, ensure that their bedroom has some familiar creature comforts for them, as well as a good storage solution to tidy away their mess.
  • For older children, a proper study space with access to good natural light will encourage them to do some homework.
  • A chill out zone with cosy lounge chair is a great idea to help them zone their room and realise that their room is their safe space in which to relax.

And there we have it! 8 tips on how to help ease the kids back into a learning environment.

Happy learning!