Tips on how to prepare your child for the return to school

It is the New Year! We have all eagerly waited for Christmas and now that it is over, it is time to get back into our daily routine.

This can be rather difficult, especially for children who may have become used to spending time with family, staying up a bit later than their usual bedtime, watching lots of movies and enjoying delicious Christmas treats and exciting new presents.

Having enjoyed some festive ‘freedom’ it is now time to get back to school routines and teachers’ expectations.

Getting back to work/school can cause anxiety to parents as well. Here are six tips to help your family adjust back to the daily routine:

Gradually introduce an early bedtime routine

The kids may have enjoyed a later bedtime during the festive period. By gradually introducing an earlier bedtime the transition between the holidays and the return to school will be easier.

Encourage your kids to go to bed early a few days before their return to school. This will help them get used to early mornings on school days.

Remind them of their usual term-time bedtime routine, such as getting their clothes ready for the next day, or no screen time at least an hour before bed. Do this gradually over the first week back.

2. Talk to your child

Kids find it easier to adjust to a new routine if they know what to expect. Explain to your child that now that Christmas is over and they have enjoyed some lovely experiences together, it is time to get back to school and other daily activities.

Remind them of the daily routine, such as school drop off and pick up, after school clubs, homework and everything else that happens during term-time.

3. Let your child share their feelings without judgment

Ask your child how they feel about going back to school. Listen to what they say in a non-judgmental way and avoid criticism.

Show them empathy and use positive affirmations such as ‘I know it’s hard to get back to school after the holidays’, ‘We are here for you if you find it difficult’ or ‘It is okay to feel this way, you will get through this’.

4. Draw pictures or use social stories

Many children find it difficult to express their feelings. You can ask your child to draw a picture of how they feel about going back to school. This is a great tool to deal with anxiety.

 Look at their picture and try to find the message your child has tried to express. If you cannot figure it out, ask your child to talk about the picture and explain it to you. This could be a good starting point for a conversation about your child’s feelings and anxieties.

Alternatively, you could write a social story for your child. Known to be highly beneficial for children with learning difficulties including autism, social stories are effective methods to provide guidance and directions for responding to various types of social situations. You should ideally personalise it so that your child is the main character and your child’s specific school and teachers are mentioned.

5. Use positive holiday experiences

Sit with your child and look back at your holiday experiences together. Look at pictures or special objects that remind them of the holidays and choose one they could share with their friends or teachers at school. Remind your child that although the holidays are over, you can still enjoy family time or trips together on weekends. Try to plan ahead for weekend activities or days out and put these in the diary, this will give your child something to look forward to.

6. Get organised

Do not leave things for the last minute before going back to school! The school run and morning routine is already hectic. Get all uniforms, lunch boxes, book bags ready the night before – and be consistent with this approach.
Ensure school kits are ready for the first day back at school. Check with your child if there is anything else they need to bring back, such as library books they brought home before the holidays.