How to help your child .....

Go back to School after holidays

The appearance on television in January of the "back to school" sales is a fair indicator that the summer school vacation is drawing to a close and the new school term is about to commence.

It is also an indication that it is time for parents and children to re-establish routines and behaviours to support the child's return to school.

The commencement of the school year can be a stressful time for both families with school-age children and the children as well. It can be particularly stressful for those families that have not prepared their children in advance for the transition back to school.

To help your child and family start school with a positive approach the following suggestions may be helpful. These helpful hints have been collected from various sources and provide simple suggestions for parents to help their child to return to school.

• Encourage your child to want to learn and to return to school.
• Encourage your child to read daily.
• Schedule a checkup with your child's doctor. Make sure the appropriate immunisations are given.
• Check to see if your child's uniform and school shoes still fit and, if need be, buy a new uniform and new school shoes. Allow a suitable time for the child to get use to wearing their new school shoes.
• At least two weeks before school starts, begin sending your child to bed and getting your child up according to the school schedule so as to establish a consistent sleep pattern.
• Set up a study area in your home. Encourage your child to read books and review routine math facts there.
• If your child is moving to a new school, enrol as soon as possible. Find out what records or documents are required by the school.
• Make sure your child knows how they are going to and from school. The route they will take and the transportation required.
• Buy only limited school stationery supplies as your child's class teacher will have a list of class specific supplies.
• Take your child on a school visit so as to reacquaint them with the school environment.
• If your child will be taking their lunch to school plan a menu of a variety of nutritious school lunches.
• Set the pattern for the rest of the school year on the first day by establishing and following a routine that will help your child adjust more quickly.
• It can take a while for children to get used to a routine. Following these tips can help make things easier for them and for you when school starts.

back to help page