5 Top Tips for Back to School
We know that this time of year can be exciting for some children, but worrying for others. Some parents may be desperate for the kids to go back to school, and others may be feeling loneliness or worried about their children returning. It can be a difficult time, especially this with the disruption over the last two years of the pandemic.
There are also practical concerns for many of us – getting uniform, stationery, tablets and bags. And let’s not forget – someone has to start making all those packed lunches again!
So we have shared below some tips for families at this time of year, hopefully they’re helpful and please add your own experiences and tips below the post.
1. Be prepared for changes in behaviour
Younger children may take a step back with self-feeding or potty training and children may become more clingy. They may not want to go to school and might display behaviours including; refusing to get dressed, saying they are sick and becoming withdrawn or angry. These are normal reactions for children, especially those who are anxious about returning to school.
For many, reassurance will come from talking them through it and listening to them. Showing them that you are excited, and reminding them of all the positive things that going back to school can bring. However, if the behaviours continue for more than a few weeks, or worsen – you may want to seek help. If your child is withdrawing from their normal activities and is distressed – this may be the trigger you need to access support from the school or other professionals.
2. Prepare the children for the return to routine
If bed times have gotten later over the holidays, it could help to start shifting them earlier with an earlier start in the morning.
It may help to involve children in their choices of clothes, bags, shoes and supplies as this can help build excitement.
You could also practice the school morning routine before school begins. Saying goodbye in the mornings and doing the walk, transport route or car journey to the school at drop off time. This may help your children to familiarise with what is going to happen, particularly when they are going to be starting at a new school for the first time.
3. Look to other parents and local groups for help
Many local community groups exist that can help parents with getting school uniform. There are two great benefits to these schemes – fewer clothes ending up in landfill, and lower spends required on school uniform. If you ask other parents or search local facebook groups (including community centres and churches), you may well find people who can provide nearly new school uniform and supplies. Due to the majority of children attending school from home during the pandemic, many people have never or barely worn uniforms that they no longer need. If a scheme like this doesn’t exist for your school or community – maybe you could get a team together and set one up?
RCT and Merthyr Tydfil also offer a grant to help families on low incomes access school uniform and equipment. More information can be found here:
https://www.merthyr.gov.uk/resident/benefits-and-grants/school-clothing-grants/
4. Accept the emotions
It may be you who feels tearful when the house is empty again, or it may be a huge relief to get back into the routine. It is likely that your children will also have strong feelings about going back to school.
If your child is upset, it’s normal to want to remove the thing that is distressing them – but it really helps to step back and let them try and solve the problem themselves.
The first step is talking to them – what are they feeling? It’s important to accept their emotions and how they are feeling rather than telling them that they are wrong – let them know that you want to help and will listen to them. Once you know what your children’s concerns are – you can ask them to help you find ways to help. What could they do to make going back to school easier? Do they have friends who could help them make the transition back in to school routine? Could a friend, sibling or parent help them with homework if that is a concern? Finding a number of small steps that can be taken to make things easier might give them more confidence, help them feel more in control and ease their anxiety.
5. Plan some treats
There may be some rewards that you can plan in September for the whole family. Parties at the weekend, visits to family and friends, visits to the park or local attractions. Knowing there are things to look forward to might help make the move back into the school time routine easier.
If stress levels remain high in your home, our top coping strategies are to get out and breathe. It may sound strange, but getting out for a walk could really help. Gentle exercise and a change of scenery is good for our bodies when we are stressed and helps to relax us. This is the same for adults and children, so you can take your children out for a walk and it also gives a good opportunity to talk to them and find out what is causing their distress.
Another great way to bring instant calm is by taking in a number of deep breaths. Regulating breathing with long breaths in and out instantly calms the body and mind. One way to get children to do this is with bubbles. If you have some handy, you can blow bubbles to help everyone focus on their breathing and bring more calm to you all.
Get in touch with Foster Wales RCT
If you live in Wales, visit the Foster Wales website where you can find all the information and contact your local authority service.
Living in RCT, Wales? Send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
