Normally, the back-to-school period is already a stressful time for parents and their children to deal with. To avoid a rush, it is important to prepare for the back-to-school period by adapting the routine of the whole family, but especially that of the children who will be returning to school. Moreover, with the current pandemic, this back-to-school season will certainly not be like any other, which requires an additional level of preparation.
With this in mind, the psychoeducators at Clinique GO™ would like to offer you some advice to help children adapt to the new school year and the current reality. Remember that psychoeducators are specially trained to help people who have difficulty adapting to their social environment, whatever it may be. Here is their advice for preparing for the new school year.
Include the child in the preparations for the start of the school year
Buying school supplies, new clothes, preparing for lunches… There are many things to think about for the new school year. Our psychoeducators advise parents to include their children in these preparations. Let them make certain choices when it comes to buying school supplies and clothing, take them to the grocery store to plan lunches with them… These moments will help the child prepare for the new reality that’s coming, in addition to being good times to discuss with them about going back to school, a point we’ll discuss below.
Also, involving the children in the preparations helps them develop their autonomy. This is particularly relevant for younger children, who are in their first years of elementary school.
Return to a more normal routine
As the holidays come to an end, it is important for the whole family to return to a more normal daily routine. This allows them to return to a regular schedule for “sleepovers”, in addition to preparing the young person for a constant routine as it happens on school days.
In addition, our psychoeducators advise parents to plan, in the last days of the holidays, for quieter moments away from the screens. This helps prepare the children to include a time in their routine for homework. A reading period before dinner could be a good preparation.
Talk to your child about going back to school
This is a very important aspect of back-to-school preparedness, especially in times of pandemic. It is important to take the time to talk with children about going back to school. This allows us to understand their concerns and respond to them in a reassuring way. It is also a good time for parents to show enthusiasm about school. For example, we can point out the fact that the child will meet his friends again, that he will start a new school subject that he particularly likes (physical education, music or other). In addition, as a parent, it is good to reminisce with the child about his or her own experience of going back to school. Telling anecdotes or recollections is a good way to encourage communication with the child and to show that it is legitimate to have certain fears or apprehensions.
With the pandemic, it is normal as a parent to also have fears about back-to-school. However, it is important to avoid talking about it with other adults in front of the child. Indeed, young people tend to assimilate their parents’ emotions, so we must at all costs avoid passing on our own anxiety or fear to them.
Do not hesitate to seek the help of a psychoeducator
Finally, when the school year has begun and a child appears to have persistent adjustment difficulties, it may be appropriate to seek professional help. Supporting a child with learning difficulties, promoting the child’s social integration, helping with emotional management… There are many problems related to the start of the school year that can benefit from psychoeducational intervention.
Clinique GO™’s psychoeducation services are offered at home and directly in the child’s school environment. With the current situation, it should also be noted that some services are also offered by teleconsultation.
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
