You’ve packed away the Christmas tree and the holiday suitcases, and all of a sudden it’s time to get the kids ready for the new school year.
Making the most of the long break is the key to a smooth start, says primary school teacher, Miss B.
Known as Lil’ Miss Sunshinee on TikTok and Instagram, she shares her tips for a smooth transition from home to school.
1. To start afresh, you need to rest – So your child feels ready to tackle the new school year, they need to feel like they actually had a break. Enjoy the holidays, enjoy the festivities, and enjoy family time before everything picks back up again.
2. Keep learning alive – Learning in the holidays doesn’t have to look like traditional education. Keep your child’s brain buzzing by teaching them a new skill or hobby, including them in household jobs, or even playing board games at a family game night.
3. Keep reading – I always encourage my students to continue reading throughout the holidays. Reading doesn’t have to be a chore. Read a magazine together, find a style of picture book or novel they like, engage in discussions about the text, and bond over the reading. It’ll feel a lot more like quality time rather than reading for the sake of it.
4. Practice handwriting – If your child is just starting school, encourage them to practice writing their name.
5. I like to move it, move it – The transition back to school is made easier when children have kept physical throughout the holidays. Downtime like watching movies or playing video games can be great for relaxation, but we also need to make sure our body stays happy.
6. Routine, routine, routine – A relaxed holiday doesn’t have to equal a lack of routine. Simple steps for your child to follow like waking up at a reasonable time, making their bed, or laying out their clothes the night before can make transitioning back to school that little bit easier.
7. Let’s go shopping – Including your child in the process of preparing for back to school can make it a more exciting, positive experience. Giving them a choice of stationary, lunchbox, or pencil case can create an anticipation to return to school.
8. T’was the night before school – Most students experience some level of anxiety or uncertainty towards returning to school. It’s the fear of the unknown. Who will my teacher be? Who will be in my class? These feelings are valid and completely normal. Keeping conversations about school in a positive light can help your child to navigate these emotions. Prepping their lunchbox, school bag, and uniform the night before can also ease anxiety on the morning of.
