Now you have topped up your cup a little, and you have your brain and lists organised…time to start prepping our little ones for the new term and year. As we said before, now as the new term draws closer, the return to school transition should begin before the first day of school. These are a few suggestions for the next week or so, to help your child prepare for the end of summer and the beginning of school.
Top tips for starting or returning to school this year (child focus):
- Re-establish routines. Nobody likes being hit in the face with a jarring early morning alarm after weeks of blissful lie ins and natural wake ups, including children (though I know they can enjoy interrupting your weekend lie ins with, “The sky’s awake, so I’m awake!” at 5am). Gradually adjust their bed and wake-up times over the week or so before school starts again, and start re-visiting your evening wind-down and morning routines in preparation.
- Get organised together. If your child is able to, take them along with you while you shop together for school items. Model and practice planning and organisation skills, and build autonomy and excitement for school where you can e.g., choosing a lunch box or pencil case with their favourite character, comparing old/new uniforms to see how much they have grown, and even involving them in labelling their new uniform and equipment.
- Support learning confidence. Skills can easily be forgotten over a break, especially when you are still in the process of securing them…so holding a pencil after the summer holidays can feel a little alien to say the least! As always, depending on the age and stage of your child, ease them back into appropriate play and/or learning activities like reading or doing a puzzle together. Boost their confidence while it is rebuilding with praise like “I love how you have kept trying!” instead of just “You’re so clever”.
- Prepare them for returning to school in a way they can engage with. Depending on the age and stage of your child, this may look slightly different, but visual aids e.g., marking off days on a calendar or a countdown chart, can help them understand how much time is left until the start of term. Talk with them about what to expect: let them share any worries or uncertainties (validate their feelings – avoid dismissing them), offer reassurance or solutions, and remind them of any changes e.g., new teachers or class names.
If you like the suggestions, but feel like you would benefit from more detail, support or bespoke suggestions for your child and family, we offer family consultations (one off) or coaching (multiple sessions over time) that you may be interested in. Please make an enquiry on our contact us page and a member of the ELLES Psychology team will be in touch.
Perhaps this summer and new school year is feeling particularly daunting for you and/or your child, because it is a first. Maybe they are starting in Reception, or Year 7, or even college/sixth form, for the first time in September. Check our next post, for some top tips!
