Preparing children for school

As seasons change, the fall invites us all to leave the lazy summer months behind as we switch to a more structured routine and busy schedule. It's perhaps even more challenging for our little loved ones as they head back to school. However with some preparation and the right attitude, the transition can be managed more effectively.
New class, teacher, students, subjects, waking up early, the school bus and trepidations about fitting in can make our children quite anxious about returning to their place of education. 'The end of summer and the beginning of a new school year can be a stressful time for parents and children,' explains psychologist Lynn Bufka, PhD. 'While trying to manage work and the household, parents can sometimes overlook their children's feelings of nervousness or anxiety as school begins. Working with your children to build resilience and manage their emotions can be beneficial for the psychological health of the whole family.'
This matter is definitely worth thinking about since starting off the school year positively can impact a child's confidence, attitude, level of security, optimism and performance both intellectually and socially. Even those children who didn't have any major troubles the previous year and are excited about returning, go through a period of unease and ambiguous anticipation as the first day of school gets closer.
So how do we prepare for this period? My advice is based on five main areas that need attention: sleep, diet, activities, thoughts and future plans.
Sleep - Children and teenagers need to get into a sleep routine a week before school starts. Their body should readjust to sleeping at 9pm, for example, and waking up at 7am the next morning.
Diet - Sweets, snacks and junk food that have become part of the diet during the summer break should be replaced with a balanced diet of vegetables, protein, carbs and fruits. This will help children sleep better, have more energy during the day and think more clearly.
Activities - Try to encourage more reading and writing about two weeks before school starts. Plan activities such as keeping a journal, writing about their summer holiday or summarising the main theme of a book they have been reading.
Thoughts - This is an interesting dimension as it deals with the child's expectations, fears and insecurities. Avoid general questions such as: 'Are you worried about anything?' Instead ask specific questions that will help guide your conversation. Such as: 'Are you excited about seeing your friends?' or 'Are you nervous about the first day of school?' These conversations will allow parents to clarify doubts, ease anxieties and encourage a more balanced and positive attitude about returning to school.
Future plans - Don't let your kids focus on the summer ending. Instead, direct their attention to the next family holiday, Christmas holiday or future plans that they can start getting excited about. Through this strategy, children learn resilience and the ability to quickly recover from feeling disappointed about something ending.
A child's life is filled with exciting twists and turns however they may not know how to fasten their seat belt on the various rides they embark on. Parents and care providers can play a key role in supporting their children along the way. Research confirms that transitions back into school are times that may trigger emotional distress. In the first month of school, pay closer attention to your child's behaviour by looking for changes in sleep, appetite, increased irritability, or isolation, since these may be serious warning signs. Don't postpone or ignore an observed issue - reach out to your pediatrician, teachers or school counselor as a way to better deal with what may be going on. Knowing what to expect, who to turn to and how to respond in different situations can all be the building blocks of a secure bridge between the summer holidays and the beginning of a new scholastic year.
Dr. Samineh I. Shaheem is an assistant professor of psychology, learning & development specialist and the owner of Life Clubs UAE. Forward your thoughts/suggestions for future articles to OutOfMindContact@gmail.com