TIPS TO REDUCE BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANXIETY

by LelaBlossom School | Mar 1, 2022 | Mental Health, Useful

Back to school anxiety is normal!!! It’s absolutely normal for children to be equally excited and anxious about a new school term starting. So here’s a few ways you can help your child deal with back to school anxiety.

1. Talk about it.

An open discussion about the upcoming academic year will encourage your child to voice their fears and anxieties. This means of cathartic release is vital for children as it helps them overcome their anxiety-provoking thoughts and feelings.

Create a positive atmosphere at home by talking cheerfully about the new term, and all the happy and good things about going back to school.

2. Encourage your child to talk to their friends.

This can dispel fears and make them feel excited about going back to school. Perhaps meet in the park and plan some social activities before they meet in the classroom.

3. Back to school shopping.

Taking them back-to-school shopping and getting things ready for the new school term will make them feel more positive and excited about going back to school. This will also give them a sense of normality.

Help your child plan and organize their back-to-school materials like school bags, uniforms, lunch pack, hand sanitizer, nose mask, stationery etc.

4. Schedule your childs routine.

Begin regulating their sleeping and eating schedules at least one week prior to the school reopening day. Ensuring that they get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet will help them feel relaxed and calm. Remember, lack of proper sleep and food can make children feel angry and restless.

5. Help them structure their routine.

For example, getting the school bags and uniforms ready the previous night, to avoid feeling overburdened with tasks in the morning, setting a wake-up time and so on. Remember that many children and teenagers are not their best in the mornings and they have had a long time away from the usual school routine. It may take a bit longer to readjust their internal time-clock to be able to function properly in the morning.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD ADJUST TO A NEW SCHOOL

by LelaBlossom School | Mar 1, 2022 | Useful

While some teens will thrive with a fresh start, immediately jumping into activities and making friends, others won’t succeed immediately. Some of them may find it difficult to adapt both academically and socially.

If you’re changing to a new school system, use these strategies to help your teen adjust to a new school.

1. Maintain a Positive Attitude

The transition period begins even before your teen enters the new school. Your teen is likely going to be pessimistic, so the responsibility rests on you to talk up the new school.

Highlight the new opportunities that will be available, such as a fantastic music class, computer laboratory etc.

2. Listen to Your Teen’s Concerns

Instead of minimizing your child’s distress by saying things like “it’s not a big deal”, validate your teen’s feelings by saying you know it will be hard for them to leave their school and friends.

Example: “I understand you’re worried about being able to stay in touch with your friends.”

3. Be honest and upfront with your teen about why you are switching schools.

If you’re relocating for a better job opportunity, moving to be closer to family, or need to find a new residence because you can’t afford to stay where you are, talk about it!

Talk about the values that influenced your decision. Make sure your teen understands that you are not moving to make his life unpleasant, and that you are not changing schools because you are unconcerned about their feelings. Instead, explain that you care but it’s ultimately up to you to make the best decision for the family.

4. Learn About the New School

Quite often, anxiety stems from not knowing what to expect. If your child has a clear knowledge of what their new school will be like, they may have a more positive attitude about transitioning to the new school.

Conduct as much research as possible about the new school before your child starts attending. Get them involved in finding out about the size of the school, the types of classes offered, and what extra-curricular opportunities are available.

5. Watch Out for Academic Problems

When your teen switches schools midway through their academic career, there are a lot of adjustments to be made.

For instance, maybe your teen never learned algebra the way the new school teaches it. Even differences in scheduling (such as block scheduling versus traditional) can pose difficulties.

So pay attention to their academic performance and provide them adequate support needed.

4 WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

by LelaBlossom School | Mar 1, 2022 | General Topics, Useful

Starting school is a huge milestone in every child’s development and it’s absolutely normal for you to worry about how your child will cope.

Here’s a few ways to prepare your child for their first day in school.

1. Tour the school

Visit the school with your child ahead of the school resumption and let them familiarize with their new surroundings. Your child can take a peek at his new classroom, the library, and other facilities he will be using throughout the school year. This will also give you a chance to ask the staff any questions or concerns you may have.

2. Practice key skills

Teach them simple skills they will need to do on their own in school. These can be simple tasks like: unzipping their bag, opening their lunch box and juice carton or water bottle, taking off and putting on shoes by themselves and eating by themselves.

3. Practice the new morning routine.

A morning routine allows children to learn how to take care of their own responsibility. Practice makes perfect! Establish the new morning routine at least a few times before school starts to get your child mentally prepared for school and establish healthy habits.

4. Self-care.

Expect them to come home dirty – this is an essential part of their learning and development. But to help maintain their personal hygiene (and save on your washing bill!) encourage your child to become independent with self-care. Show them how to wash their hands when dirty, and how to clean up after themselves, too.

5. Prepare Yourself

Sometimes, we are more nervous than our children about the first day of school. If you have done all the things mentioned above (and possibly more!), you have done all that you can to prepare your child for starting school.

Smile! Going to school is a big milestone and it’s time for your child (Ren) to go and exercise their independence.

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