The long holiday break at the end of the year will disrupt the school routine. Avoid sleepless nights and extra stress with just a few adjustments before the first day. Keep reading to see what parents can do to help kids and teens transition back to school with ease.
Prepare for the first day
The stress of going back to school can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Get ahead and take care of the first-day preparations before bed instead of waiting until the morning. Have the backpack ready to go, and make the sack lunch the night before. Do what you can to ensure your children have a relaxed morning before their first day back at school.
Get back into the sleep routine a few days beforehand
Sleep is crucial for mental and physical wellness and helps with learning capabilities. A sleep schedule is also probably one of the first things that get disrupted due to a holiday break.
Start up the routine again a few days before school starts. Set a bedtime and begin winding down about an hour before that time.
Get back to a meal routine
It’s important that children do not end up hungry while at school. Help your children return to their school meal schedule at home first. Kids and teens should get used to eating at the intervals they will upon returning to school. This will keep them from getting hungry or avoiding eating when they should.
Deal with stress
Going back to school can be stressful for kids and teens. Dealing with homework, exams, and other pressures can be intimidating. If you see that your child is exhibiting signs of stress due to their return to school, do not ignore it. Dealing with stress will help get them into a better headspace. Which will help set them up for success.
Getting settled into the school routine can be challenging. But it doesn’t have to be. By getting ahead and making a few adjustments, your children can have a better time transitioning into their old schedule and continue performing well at school.
Sources: Nemours, Very Well Mind, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.