A new school year means new friends, teachers, books, and classrooms, accompanied by new experiences, challenges and fears. It’s normal for students (whatever their age) to feel anxious or apprehensive about starting, or going back to school. Good news! There’s a lot you can do to make the transition from vacation-mode to school-mode a smoother one. Here are 5 helpful tips to get you started just in time for the Back To School season:
Re-establish a Routine
Yes, we have all overslept, been in a rush, and left home late for school. Start establishing and developing a routine with your children. This will help keep you refreshed and consistent. Your daily routine may vary depending on your school, grade level, or extracurriculars. Plan and write out the steps or activities in a family calendar, and rehearse them with your kids. This could include, setting bedtimes, breakfast time, bath time, homework, playtime, etc. Stick to it and complete your daily tasks. Soon your daily routine will flow with a little more ease.
1. Become an Early Bird
Getting back into a sleep routine won’t happen overnight! Getting enough sleep each night is essential for a child to be successful at school. Set a proper bedtime and stick to it. You can do even better if you add some pre-bedtime activities such as : bath/shower time, turning off electronic devices, or reading a story before tucking them in. This will definitely help them turn into early birds and promote a new sense of focus that they will need to get back on track.
2. Create an At-Home Study Space
Kids need a calm, clean, and proper place to study. If you can, we recommend setting up a designated homework station. Decorate it by hanging their calendar, important reminders, a list of their academic goals, a vision board and perhaps some encouraging notes to help them along the way.
3. Establish Healthy Habits
After the school break, establishing healthy habits can be difficult, but not impossible. You can involve your children in making choices about what they eat, take them shopping for groceries, and allow them to be a part of the preparation process in making their healthy snacks and lunches. Together, you can also find physical activities or sports that they enjoy, and encourage them to practice outside of school hours by joining a community sports club, a school team, or simply a friendly game with the family.
4. Talk About First-Day Jitters
Ease the tension within your child that getting back to school can bring. Remind them that being nervous or feeling anxious is a natural thing, even for teachers or parents. Help them to overcome these feelings by letting them express themselves, share about your own first-day jitters when you were their age, and address their concerns accompanied with some coping exercises like breathwork. No one said it would be easy, but parents can ease the anxiety better than anyone!
Anarely Escamilla (a.k.a. Miss Ana), es profesora y coordinadora con Helen Doron. Licenciada en Enseñanza de la Lengua Inglesa de la UAEH con mayor enfoque en adolescentes y adultos. Le gusta visitar nuevos lugares en la ciudad; captura fotos y videos de la vida diaria y conservarlos como en diario visual. En su tiempo libre le gusta aprender francés e italiano, cocinar, andar en bici y salir a correr.
Are You Ready to Go Back to School?
Celebrando el Dia de los Abuelos
¡No se lo pierdan!
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