If you dread the idea of sending your child back to school this year, you are not alone! Most parents find summer to be one of the most enjoyable times of the year, as they are eager to spend more time with their children. Children may be reluctant to return to school as well.

4 Ways to Prepare Your Child Emotionally for School Again

Rabat- If you dread the idea of sending your child back to school this year, you are not alone! Most parents find summer to be one of the most enjoyable times of the year, as they are eager to spend more time with their children. Children may be reluctant to return to school as well.

They might find the the school year difficult, especially if they are changing schools and adjusting to a new class of pupils and instructors, or if they had a bad experience the previous year. Leaving the familiar and comfortable environment might make them anxious and stressed.

As kids spend the majority of their day at school, parents need to ascertain that they will have smooth sailing.

1. Help Them Cope with Transitions

During quarantine, children spent most of their time at home learning online. The reopening of classes and the return to normal, pre-COVID life are thrilling. However, the absence of social interaction during the pandemic made children fearful of starting school again.

Sanam Hafeez, NYC Neuropsychologist Faculty Member at Columbia University, has stated that during online classes teenagers did not worry about social aspects, but now they are feeling “an immense amount of pressure, anxiety, and even depressive symptoms.”

As a parent, you need to validate your children’s feelings and concerns. Find out what could be worrying them, listen effectively, and make them understand that it’s completely natural to feel stress or anxiety when returning to school.

You need to be attentive, compassionate, and understanding. Kids’ academic performance, social experiences, sleeping, and eating habits are cues that point to their mental health. Following up after the first week is a good start to check their well-being. Reaching out to classmates and teachers to discuss specific needs or concerns is also a great strategy.

2. Keep Conversations Open About Missing Friends and Teachers

Kids can be eager to see their old classmates and teachers when returning to school. However, their peers and teachers may change schools and not be there. Kids may find it difficult and overwhelming to make new friendships.

Discuss the matter with them and ensure they are not struggling to make new friendships or dealing with sadness over the loss of a friend. Help them realize that these feelings will fade with time and that they will make many friends in the future.

3. Get Them Excited About New Activities They Will be Doing at School

One way to help children relieve anxiety and stress when starting school is to remind them that school is a great place where they can learn new things and participate in extracurricular activities such as art classes, drawing, painting, sports, and competitions.

You can also encourage them to find a safe place at school where they can go if they need some time away from other kids and/or distracting environments.

4. Maintain a Consistent Sleeping Schedule and Healthy Eating Habits

It is very important to adopt regular sleep schedules for children. Help them get used to getting up early every day, including weekends. A good night’s sleep is linked to good school performance. According to research, “without enough rest, teens are more likely to suffer from the cognitive, behavioral, and physical effects of sleep deprivation that are detrimental to school performance.”

Children who get good quality sleep won’t feel worn out when they get up. They will also have minimal difficulty focusing, memorizing, and absorbing information. They won’t be easily irritated either.

Eating healthy and nutritious food is equally important for their physical well-being. Preparing home made lunch boxes and including fruits and vegetables in their diet is a great way to ensure that they are consuming healthy meals.