As the summer comes to an end and a new school year begins, it can be challenging for children to readjust to a new structured routine. For some children, the transition back to school after months of relaxation and freedom can be especially difficult. The recent COVID-19 global pandemic has also acted as a major obstacle in developing children’s social skills. Many kids have adapted to online learning, which can make the return to the classroom even more intimidating.
If your child is struggling with returning to school, there are several things you can do as a parent to help ease the transition and make their return to school a positive experience.
Understanding Your Child’s Mindset
The first day of school can be an overwhelming experience, adapting to new surroundings, friends, and teachers. For some children attending school, this September may mark their first time being left anywhere without their parents, which can warrant an intense emotional reaction.
These emotional reactions are normal and it is important that as parents you accept and validate these feelings of uneasiness. Letting your child know that their feelings make sense and that it is typical to be upset during times of uncertainty can go a long way towards helping them learn to process and deal with their emotions.
It is also important to remember that children thrive when a structured routine has been put in place. To make the transition from summer vacation to school as seamless as possible, it is a good idea to start getting your children used to the school day routine before summer ends. Try and get your children into the habit of waking up early, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, packing their backpacks, etc. This will allow your children to adapt and transition into the new school year at their own pace.
Regardless of what method you decide to use during this adjustment period, your children must know that they have a solid support system backing them up every step of the way.
Instilling a Sense of Trust
Younger kids generally trust very few individuals besides their parents. So, being under the full-time supervision of a new teacher can be a difficult adjustment for them.
It takes time for children to trust a new adult and it can be quite an intimidating process. If possible, try making time before the first day of school for you and your child to meet with the new teacher. Not only will this help kids adapt to a new adult in their daily life but it also allows parents to build a relationship with their child’s teacher, which can help boost confidence levels in parents who worry about their children’s well-being after dropping them off at school.
At such a young age, children do not have many role models or individuals that they look up to other than their parents. So when you, as a parent, can display trust in your kid’s new teachers, that same level of trust will often also be present in their attitude.
Preparation for the Future
Even though a parent’s job is to protect and care for their children unconditionally, it is important to be mindful about the impacts of being overprotective. Parents often do everything within their power to set their kids up for success, but there will still be times when children need to adjust to operating outside of their comfort zone.
The only way to grow is through experience and resilience. Kids begin to develop habits (both good and bad) at a very young age, which means parents must be compassionate yet assertive throughout their child’s developmental stages. For example, on the first day of school, if your child throws a tantrum and you decide to let them stay home rather than attend class, this demonstrates to the child that they can scream and cry whenever they want and get away with it.
The back-to-school transitional period can be a stressful time for everyone. The most important thing that you can do as a parent is to offer your child a sound support system by validating their emotions and always keeping their best interest in mind. Just remember that as time goes on, your children will adapt to these new circumstances and will become increasingly comfortable attending school daily.
For more information on how we can help with new transitions, chat with our iHealthOX Care Team.
Sources:
https://www.sd62.bc.ca/covid-19/resources-parents/return-school-support-students-and-parents
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