Flipping the script on the back-to-school blues
It’s that time of year again. As the smell of sunscreen, sea air and ice cream are replaced with the scent of textbooks, freshly sharpened pencils and new uniforms, kids will soon be returning from their all too fleeting summer holidays and heading back to the classroom.
For far too long, the thought of going back to school has been a stressful time for students and parents alike, and there is no denying how much of a daunting experience it can be for families. Whether it’s the preparation for that dreaded first day back or trying to persuade your child to go back to school in the first place, we believe with a little preparation and the right attitude, the transition into a new school year – or indeed the jump from primary to secondary school – can be a positive experience for all.
Here are some tips on how to beat the back-to-school blues for you and your child and to ensure that the new school year is the beginning of many happy new school years ahead.
A fresh start
As the summer holidays come to an end and a new school year begins, kids should see this transition as a fresh start. A new term will mean a new set of teachers, classes to attend, students to get to know, and goals and aspirations to aim for.
Whether they are entering a new form or starting a different school altogether, we should encourage children to see this as a time for exciting opportunities and possibilities. Naturally, such new beginnings can seem intimidating but with some parental awareness and gentle encouragement, we can prepare them for success in their new endeavours.
Manage the transition
Change is a normal part of life and is an important aspect of the educational, social and personal development of our children. In order to make these changes seem less scary, we need to promote conversations around change that inspire and empower them. If we concentrate on the strengths that have carried them throughout their previous school experiences and focus on how we can utilise and build on these skills in their new school year, we can ensure that the transition is seen as a positive change.
All kids are different, and some may need a little extra adjustment or support to ensure the change is a happy one. As parents, we should set reasonable expectations and reassure them that the transition may take some time and that there may be some bumps in the road.
Check in
During any transition period, it’s important that your kids are able to talk about their concerns and are supported to cope with readjustments. A new school year isn’t going to be breezy for all students, so we must check in on them to gauge how they’re handling the back-to-school experience and remind them of the support available.
Try using positive, affirming words and phrases that avoids discouraging or alienating them. By asking them about what is going well and focusing on any goals and objectives they’d like to achieve in the coming months, you gain a better understanding of your child’s thoughts and feelings whilst maintaining a positive and constructive outlook.
Preparation is key
Being organised in the run up to the start of the new school year shouldn’t be underestimated as the first day always sneaks up, despite how far away it may seem. For parents, the back-to-school season can be an incredibly stressful time. From buying fresh stationery to replacing outgrown school shoes or ordering new uniform, the list will seem endless so it’s always best to plan ahead. Set timetables and write lists in the run up to the new school year so the first day is as stress-free as possible. Children often take cues from their parents and are susceptible to mirroring their emotions, meaning a stress-induced high-pressured household will only have adverse effects on their back-to-school transition.
Make time on weekends
As families return to a more structured lifestyle after the summer holidays, the weekends will become even more valuable for planning some well-earned respite from the pressures of day-to-day life. Extracurricular activities offer an important space for kids to have fun and relax away from the pressures of schoolwork, whilst also giving kids the confidence to interact socially with likeminded children away from the classroom and extend their network beyond existing friendship groups.
Group activities, like the coding sessions on offer at kids coding specialists, Code Ninjas, builds kids’ coding confidence and provides them with a space where they feel accepted regardless of skill level. As part of its new back-to-school campaign, Code Ninjas hopes to reduce the nervous energy that can surround the weeks before and after returning to school after the summer break.
“Going back to school after summer vacation can bring a range of emotions for kids, including excitement and eagerness, but also anxiety,” says Grant Smith, VP of Education for Code Ninjas. “Our mission is to create a dynamic space so that as many children as possible get a programme where they can improve their self-efficacy in the education sector. Our partners share our desire to reduce the anxiety that surrounds the start of a new school year, and with the brands’ support, we can help as many children as possible feel confident about returning to the classroom.”
If your child is interested in the world of coding, visit https://www.codeninjas.com/locations-list/gb to find the location nearest to you.