How to help students get rid of back to school blues

Today thousands of school children will have returned to school after a long summer break.
Pencils are sharpened, name tags are fixed, pages are pristine white and clean because it's that time of year again.
Transition from holidays to a tough back-to-school routine should be made smooth enough for the mental and physical challenges your child will face throughout the year, according to health experts.
Dr Hala Fikri Mohammed El-Hagrasi, Consultant, Pediatrics Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi here gives parents comprehensive tips on how to ensure the transition is a smooth one:
> Immunisation
Almost all schools will not admit a child who does not have immunisation records.
Check with the school nurse on what vaccines are required. The common ones are hepatitis, polio and chicken pox.
> Eye tests
1 in 20 children can't see out of one of their eyes. Vision testing by your pediatrician is a good way to determine if your child has an eye problem and needs to be referred to a specialist.
A child who cannot see clearly cannot perform well at school.
> Accurate information
Always make sure your child's emergency telephone numbers list is up to date. The numbers that should be listed include the mother's, father's, immediate relative's and whoever else the parents have designated. It is a good idea to list the child's physician and dentist.
Give the school nurse all details of the medication your child is taking and make sure any health problems is made known to the school. Also inform the school of any physical restrictions - does your child have asthma, a scoliosis brace or a heart murmur? Will these have an impact on physical activity?
> Adequate sleep
Get your child to begin a bedtime and wake up schedule that mirrors their impending routine. This is important to not only institute a system but also to ensure youngsters get the recommended hours of sleep. For preschool children the recommended amount of sleep is 16-18 hours a day and from primary school onwards between 10 to 12 hours.
> Backpack safety
A heavy backpack that puts too much pressure on a child's shoulders is a big no-no as it may hamper proper growth. Instead choose a backpack with padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
Pack light and make sure to spread the weight between the different compartments. Make sure that the heavier items are closest to the centre of the back.
> Address anxiety
While some kids pack their new books a month ahead, others battle anxiety. Consult a pediatrician to rule out whether the anxiety was caused by a physical condition. If there are no physical issues, refer a mental health specialist like a psychiatrist or therapist. Mental wellbeing is as important as physical health.
How to ensure smooth transition
During the first few weeks, some students experience mixed emotions about jumping back into the school day routine and leaving behind the fun, stress-free days of summer. Many children tend to stress out because of various factors: a new environment, a new teacher, a new syllabus and greater learning expectations, according to Dr Samra Tahir, Clinical Psychologist at the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology.
Get back into a school day routine: A few weeks prior to the new academic year, parents need to keep their children busy with a mix of physical and academic stimulation activities. Children should be given a set routine for each day so that the transition is not too exhausting and overwhelming.
Focus on positive aspects: Emphasise the positive aspects of the return to school, such as, meeting old friends again, making new friends, playing during breaks, etc.
Distract and redirect the child's attention towards the positive factors of returning to the classroom. Thus, when a child becomes irritable and refuses to go to school, it is recommended to automatically change the topic. For example, ask them what they played in the playground, the name of his/her desk partner, if there are new children in the class, etc.
Let your child make decisions: Parents should include the child in the decision-making process so he/she does not feel totally out of control. Letting your child make decisions about things such as what to wear, what stationary to buy, and what to have for breakfast can give your child a sense of control.
Do a trial run: It would be useful to visit the school with your child. Show your child the classrooms, the cafeteria and the bathrooms. Practice the walk or drive to school.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE