Health

Tips to help ease your child back into school mode after the holidays

Children experience a mix of emotions when it comes to going to school. Easing back after the holidays can range from feeling excited and eager to concern, fear or anxiety.

Among the concerns of young children are feeling left out, being teased or saying goodbye to their caregiver at drop off. Some feel lonely and isolated.

The main concerns for teens are coping with stress (44.7%), school or study problems (34.3%) and mental health (33.2%).

Not thinking about school until it is time to go back is one way to enjoy the last week of holidays. But for some, this can make going back to school more difficult. Supporting children and young people with back-to-school challenges can help reduce negative school experiences using the below steps.

Set up a back-to-school routine

Create structure about going back with a school routine.

The first week back can cause disruption from being in holiday mode so don’t forget healthy habits around sleep (around 9 to 11 hours for children aged 5 to 13 years and 8 to 10 hours for those aged 14 to17 years), exercise (around one hour per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity three times a week) and diet.

Having consistent bed and wake-up times helps too. The National Sleep Foundation suggest starting two weeks before the first day of school to set sleep routine habits. But a week beforehand will help get your child on their way.

In some way, parents go back to school with their children. Consider adjusting your own schedule to make the transition smoother. If you can’t in the mornings, arrange the evenings so you can give as much time as your child needs, especially during the first week.

Talk about going back to school

Most children deal with some level of stress or anxiety about school. They have insight into their school experiences, so find out what worries them by asking directly.

You can offer support by normalising experiences of worry and nerves. Reassure your child the feelings they have are common and they will likely overcome them once they have settled in.

Help create a sense of school belonging

A sense of belonging at school can affect academic success and student well-being. Parents can facilitate positive attitudes about school.

Also show an interest in school life and work, and be available to support your child both academically and socially.

Look out for signs of stress

more clingy than usual or tries to escape from the classroom
appears restless and flighty or cries
shows an increased desire to avoid activities through negotiations and deal-making
tries to get out of going to school

Encourage questions

Encourage questions children and teens may have about the next term. What will be the same? What will be different?

Most importantly, let your child know nothing is off limits to talk about. Set up times to chat throughout the school term – it can help with back-to-school nerves.

Judy Buckley

College Nurse