It’s back-to-school time for children all over the UK next week. Whilst a lot of children find starting, or going back to school very exciting, moving into a different year can be difficult for some children, and moving to a different school can be even harder.
We’ve put together our top tips to help you support your transitioning child to ensure a smooth start to the new school year!
- Encourage communication – Ask your child how they’re feeling about the start of school, how their first day was, and if they have any concerns etc. Showing an interest in how your child feels about school, and not just about how they’re handling school-work will help to encourage your child to be open and communicative about any problems/issues they’re finding difficult to handle.
- Talk to your child’s teacher – Start to build a relationship with your child’s new teacher. Spend some time getting to know them, sharing information about your child and asking any questions you might have about the new school routine.
- Get to know other parents – Getting to know the parents of your child’s classmates can work wonders towards arranging playdates and ensuring that your child has plenty of opportunities to socialise outside the classroom.
- Create a routine – Children typically tend to adapt to new situations better if a solid routine is in place. Structure the mornings and make drop-off time special by working in a special handshake or maybe listen to an audiobook during the drive.
- Pay attention – Keep a close eye on your child, especially during the first few weeks into the new school year. If you notice any drastic changes in behaviour such as your child being withdrawn, sullen or not eating, it may be that your child is struggling to adjust to the new situation. Take this time to ask your child if anything is worrying them and ask their teacher if they’re aware of any issues in the classroom.
What are your top tips for ensuring a happy start to the new school year? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!