Preparing for a successful new year
The end of January can bring its own mix of feelings for parents and youngsters heading to school.
You might well feel ready to see them head off into someone else’s care for five days a week and they might feel the excitement of a new school, new friends and new challenges.
But they might also feel nervousness about the changes ahead - a new teacher, perhaps separation from old friends; even fear if it means facing up again to a teacher or youngster that they haven’t got on well with in the past. Be sensitive to this. For parents it also means reestablishing routines after what’s often a very casual summer timetable.
Ease back into a school routine the week before school starts.
This includes getting up earlier in the morning which may be an issue to start with, especially for teenagers - best not to leave it till the last minute or you’ll have a stressful first day back morning.
In the last few weeks before school starts, check that there is still a working lunchbox around, the school bag is still intact, school clothes still fit, gear is labelled and there are some pens that work.
Practise the route to school if your child is walking or biking, check if the school has a walking bus organised.
If a bus is to be the transport, check bus timetables and go over safety around the bus.
If needed, think about after-school arrangements and have these in place before school starts.
Have a stash of freezable lunches for you and the kids for those days when nothing goes according to plan.
Establish a small fund of notes and coins for the days when they suddenly remember they need money and all you have in your wallet is plastic.
Have a calm time the weekend before school begins and don’t plan any major outings or events which will generate over excitement.
Be positive - children absorb a parent’s anxiety, so be optimistic and confident for your child.
Show them that you believe they will enjoy being at school and participating in new experiences.
Let your child know that it is natural to be a little nervous anytime you start something new but that it will be just fine once he or she becomes familiar with classmates, the teacher and school routine.
Reinforce the ability to cope but let your child know you care.
If your child is anxious about school, send personal notes in the lunch box or back pack.
Be involved - plan to volunteer in the classroom or in organised school activities throughout the year.
Doing so helps your child understand that school and family life are linked and that you care about the learning experience.
Being in the school environment is also a good way to develop a relationship with your child’s teachers and classmates.
At the end of the day leave extra space in your routine to hear about those first few days back at school.
If the first few days are a little rough, try not to over react.
Young children in particular may experience separation anxiety or shyness initially but teachers are trained to help them adjust.
If you drop them off at school, try not to linger. Reassure them that you love them, will think of them during the day, and will be back.