Fun times usually flash by too quickly and then it’s back to school, sometimes with back to school blues. Some children get upset and even jittery when it is time to head back to school. Do you face some difficulty coaxing your child as the school holidays end?
We have some suggestions on how to beat the back to school blues.
6 Ways to Beat the Back-to-School Blues
1. Early to bed, early to rise
Ensure your child has sufficient sleep especially the days leading up to the start of school. We know how much a of grouch we become when we elude sleep. This is even more applicable to children who need much more sleep. Preschoolers need at least 11 to 14 hours of sleep while primary schoolers need at least 9 hours of quality sleep.
Start good sleep routines early!
2. Talk about what to look forward to
School can be a less pleasant place with all the restrictions in place due to the pandemic. Manage your child’s expectations and acknowledge that it could be less enjoyable with the fixed seating and restriction of social activities. Also, emphasise what you can look forward to! Help your child to look on the bright side – list the things they can do in school that they can’t elsewhere. For instance, see their friends, learn from their favourite teacher, buy food from the canteen, shop for stationery at the bookshop, play their favourite games. We all need to learn to look ahead these days.
3. Plan a surprise that’s fun
Surprise your child with a fun activity after school. It can be a picnic, a special date at the park, a visit to the beach – something your child really enjoys. This helps to uplift and spread some cheer, especially when school days are tough and exam dates draw near. You don’t really need big reasons to give your child a surprise and a chance to see a huge smile on his or her face.
4. Buy new stationery for your child
A little gift might get your child a little more excited about school. A new pencil, or an eraser just for school, a hair accessory, a pack of stickers to share or a little badge or keychain for the school bag could be something else to be glad about heading to school.
5. Keep moving!
Children need to expend their energy and keep moving. Besides keeping fit it helps release the endorphins that keep them happy. Encourage your child to head outdoors, kick a ball, play a sport or just take a walk. This could lift their moods almost instantly.
6. Special connection for the child’s dearest
Some kids do not like school because it takes them away from their closest relations – mum, sibling, pet, caregiver etc. Have a special token that symbolises the connection, it could be an item in the pencil case, a doodle or a finger that holds a special connection between the two. Remind your child who is facing anxiety because of their fear of lost connections, that by touching or pressing the special item, there will be a secret message sent just to the person he or she misses dearly. That way, there are always connections made amidst the temporary separation
Chase Away the Blues, Be There For Your Child
You might be dreading those back to school blues, but no one else feels it more than your child with a complex mix of emotions. The best thing you can do is be there for your child, listen to the woes, complaints, fears, cries – and we can be more aware of their emotions and inner turmoil and then giving them a much needed hug before every school day.
