It’s natural that going back to school after an extended holiday can be difficult, especially for younger kids. Don’t be alarmed if your child struggles to adapt when returning to the classroom after winter break.
There are several reasons why the adjustment could be challenging, some potentially more serious than others. Do your utmost to remedy the situation as seamlessly and efficiently as possible. Remaining calm while paying attention to your child’s signs and actions will give you significant insight into where the problem may lie and how best to remedy it.
Prevention is always better than a cure. Even if you’re confident that your kid has no problems at school, it’s best to prepare for returning beforehand. Doing so will make for a smoother transition, and even if there are problems you’re unaware of, your child will be happier and more confident returning to the classroom.
The week before school opens, speak with other parents and arrange a playdate or sleepover for the kids. This way, your child will become reacquainted with his school friends, and everything will be more familiar when they meet up on the playground on opening day.
Remind your child that school is starting soon and gauge their reaction. If your kid seems excited to go back, you’re less likely to experience transitional hiccups. If the response seems negative, you should try to find the reasons by easing into further conversation and asking questions where necessary. For example:
Without being pushy, establish reasons for your child’s potential reluctance to return to school. Listen carefully to the responses and watch your child’s body language closely if they don’t react vocally to specific questions. Initially, you may not get the answers you want, or any at all, but you’ll be able to discover areas causing anxiety, stress or negativity more accurately. About 5.6 million children have been diagnosed with anxiety issues, and identifying a problem area will make finding ways to assist in coping easier.
If you identify a potential problem area after speaking with your child, don’t feel you must deal with it alone. Lean on your partner or spouse for support with your potential areas of concern. Communicating and receiving proactive suggestions go a long way to easing your load and coming up with solutions. A grandparent or trusted caregiver might have a relationship with your kid that will encourage them to open up more.
Change things up before school reopens after the break. Buy a new backpack or lunch container to ease the holiday-school transition further. Show your child the items and gauge their reaction, or even better, allow them to select new items at the store. Kids enjoy gifts, and the chance to show them off to friends will build anticipation. Suggest these opportunities to them.
If your child has been staying up late and sleeping in over the holidays, start adjusting their routine to fit a schoolgoing pattern before the big day arrives. Being familiar with going to bed earlier and practicing screen time rules, such as banning devices from the table, means preparing for school will be less of a drag the night before. Waking up earlier will be easier, and your child will be more refreshed. Going to school on day one will be less stressful and more easily accomplished.
If you’ve encountered reticence from your child about returning to school, a good idea is to visit before it opens. Make it a project you can do together. Teachers are usually there to prepare a day or two before opening day, so you should take the chance to let your kid acclimate earlier by seeing his teacher’s smiling face before going back to class. Take your child to the playground and discuss the fun activities to settle nerves further.
Once school is again underway, you’ll identify potential difficulties your child is experiencing as time passes. Should there be any, including bullying, strict teaching methods, learning style differences, learning disorders or disabilities, shyness or low self-esteem, they’ll likely become more apparent over time.
Paying attention to your child’s reactions to certain specifics can help you pinpoint issues and act where necessary. Everyone learns differently, so helping with homework might uncover potential difficulties. For example, some kids are visual learners and prefer information in graphic formats, while others do best when reading and writing.
School transition is often a process that doesn’t happen overnight. Here are some ways to identify where your child may need assistance in the process.
The end of the first day back at school is crucial for you and your child. If your kid’s excitement is palpable, allow them to talk as much as they want to and listen intently to the news they share. If they’re more reserved, consider that the adjustment might mean your child needs time to recover after a busy first day. Allow time to relax without asking the questions you’re dying to know the answers to. After that, ask them:
These answers and body language responses to these questions provide valuable input in your assessment regarding difficulties your child may be experiencing at school. If you pick any up, you’ll be more prepared to glean further information afterward.
You’ll notice changes in your child’s demeanor or behavior as time passes. If these happen after they return to school, they’ll likely be school-related. Should your child not volunteer information, you must identify the problems yourself, and sometimes this isn’t easy.
There are several potential reasons for a child’s discomfort at school, and you must communicate with the teacher to obtain informed feedback. The solution could be as easy as changing your child’s class or more taxing in scheduling meetings with the school counselor or psychologist. After that, you might need to consider private treatment.
The latter are often worst-case scenarios, with much achieved through communication with school staff. Should they make you aware of additional pressing issues, adopt a level-headed approach to dealing with them. Everything is generally better than it initially seems.
Kids usually love their time off school, and going back might be a drag for many. How you prepare for your children’s return to the classroom and playground can make the transition more straightforward. You’re an able parent, and your assistance will help your child thrive at school in no time.
Jack Shaw
Autor