It’s time to get back into familiar routines as your child heads back to school.
- Find school equipment and check uniforms and shoes still fit – your child may have grown. Give yourself enough time to organise replacements or a uniform alternative if needed.
- Encourage your child to check their school timetable if needed, pack their school bag, and get their lunch box, drink bottle and uniform ready.
- Plan ahead for making lunch boxes again.
- Promote positive conversations. Let them know that school staff are looking forward to seeing them. If they feel nervous or worried, help them understand this is a normal reaction, and that you and their teachers are there to support them.
- Allow more time than usual on the first morning back to calmly get ready. Take your child to school if that will help build a greater sense of security. Alternatively, encourage your child to meet up with a friend before school and travel in together.
- Routines help provide certainty and increase feelings of security, so it will help to re-establish routines and plan for the return. After-school routines to review the day’s learning and complete homework tasks will also be important.
- Provide opportunities for your child to play and relax at the end of the day. Returning to school can be a big deal especially after lockdown.
- Remember your school is there to help – contact them with any concerns or issues you might have.