Whether your child is starting school for the first time, moving to a new school or going back after a long holiday, the back to school process can prompt feelings of anxiety. From getting the school run right and making new friends to helping out with homework and being prepared for the big day, here are 10 steps to avoiding back-to-school anxiety.
By Hilary Pereira
Familiarise them with the surroundings
Starting ‘big’ school can be a daunting prospect, but it’ll help if your child is familiar with his new surroundings in advance.
Be prepared
Get everything prepared well in advance of your child starting school: get her involved in sticking name labels on her pencil case, lunchbox and drinking bottle, and make sure a
Help out with friend-making
If your child isn’t too adept at making friends, give her a helping hand.
Take a step back
Expect a bit of regression when your ‘baby’ starts school for the first time.
Grant them independence
Making the move to high school is a really big step for most children, but also heralds the beginning of new-found independence.
Help out with homework
With high school comes homework – and usually plenty of it. Help your child to keep on top of it by providing him with a wipe-clean weekly planning board.
Be positive
If your child finds herself in a new class where she’s separated from all her good friends, as does happen in some schools, approach things with a positive attitude: it&rs
After-school clubs
If you’re moving to a new school in a new area, your child is going to have to make friends from scratch.
In it together
After a long school holiday, your child may be a bit reluctant or tearful about going back to school.
