Helping your child make the transition back to school
Transitions
We know that returning to school after a major event may be both exciting and worrying for children and parents. The current situation means that it is likely that the school day will be different from what children experienced prior to Covid-19. The staff are working hard to make the transition back to school as smooth as possible and there are also things that parents can do at home too.
How you can help
It is important that children and young people feel safe upon their return to school. Sometimes picturing and role playing situations helps to make them feel less distant and worrying. The need for this is likely to be heightened for children who are starting school, or moving to a new school, as being able to picture the environment may be more tricky. For example you could look at the school building on their website, look through any transition materials sent from the school and perhaps practise the walk to school as part of your daily exercise. Further suggestions can be found by using the links below:-
Managing emotions
Children and young people cope with transitions more easily with a sense of calm. They are likely to experience a range of big feelings including both pleasant and unpleasant emotions. It is important that they are helped to feel that these emotions are normal and that support is provided to help them manage them. Talk to your child about any concerns they have and acknowledge that these are normal feelings given the situation. Simply repeating back, “so you feel __________ because of _________” can help them to feel heard and understood. It can also be useful to find ways to help them to manage the emotions and return to a calm state. Relaxation can help with this.
Empowering your child
Children and young people tend to feel more in control of situations when they are clear about what they can and can’t do. Helping to prepare for the return to school might give them a sense of control and make it seem more manageable. For example, let them pick out school uniform. Perhaps make a plan of the morning and what will happen when and what their part is in making it run smoothly. Why not play the game My first day at school with your child on the BBC website.
Reassuring your child
Whilst life may be difficult at the moment, it is important that adults, children and young people feel the situation will improve in the future. Children and young people need to be provided with reassurance and understand that in the longer term things will feel more manageable. For younger children stories can help them to see how things change and get better. For older children and young people having a goal or special time to look forward to can help. You could talk to them about this and plan what it might be.
