Dubai: It’s that time of the year for parents and students and gearing up for back to school is an inevitable exercise for them. But the responses to this annual endeavour vary from parent to parent and student to student. Some families experience a severe sense of stress at this time as they find themselves, after a long summer break hiatus, back in the deep end of early morning schedules, packing school lunches, and the gamut of what it takes to get their children get accustomed to the familiar routine. Other parents transition smoothly into this phase having planned for it in advance.
Dr Valeria Risoli, clinical psychologist, Dubai Physiotherapy & Family Medicine Clinic, says, “The challenges of back to school preparation are usually presented by different factors that parents need to be aware of: verbal cues [words], habits and dynamics that could make their children’s return to school more difficult and painful.”
- Dr Valeria Risoli, Clinical psychologist
Though every child is aware of how integral the school experience is to their growing up years, nevertheless, it has different impacts on different children. Many children feel insecure about going back to school to be among a diversity of students even though it is an annual event. These children have to be mentally prepared all over again to undertake the experience. Other children have to be re-groomed into the schedule after the summer break has softened their structured days. And of course there are children who are raring to go back to school.
For parents, the former two categories are where the challenges lie. Dr Risoli offers guidelines/approaches. It is important to understand that these are tips that each parent may follow to create a positive, enthusiastic mind set in their child about returning to school. Just as it is important for a child to be positively tuned to enjoy going back to school, it is also important for parents to demonstrate the same sense of positivism for the sake of their children.
1. Ask your kids often about how they feel about school. Let them know they can talk to you anytime they don’t feel good. Good communication between kids and parents is essential and helps children feel protected before school starts. As kids need to be relaxed and confident about being in a new environment, (especially if they are attending school for the first time) they need to feel reassured while leaving home in the morning. Some kids feel anxious about meeting new classmates and teachers while some children feel insecure and anxious about leaving parents at home. It sounds odd but this is happening to many kids. If parents display positivity about being separated from their children for a while, the children too will feel the same.
2. Keep it positive, always. When you talk about school, teachers, or classmates, whether during the holidays, or during school time, parents should always keep the talk about school matters positive. Remember, your children listen to you and observe you. If you do not keep a respectful conversation going at all times about school or teachers or peers, they will feel and think the same about these things. Pointing out the positive aspects of their school is essential to make them feel motivated and feel good about getting back to that environment.
3. Involve your child while shopping for school supplies. It’s time to buy all the essentials for another academic year. Ask your child what they need. Check what activities are planned so that you and your child together can prepare for them. Doing things together for the upcoming school year has many benefits that help a child get a positive outlook for the new academic year.
4. Set the routine in advance. We all agree that during summer, kids deserve to relax and play, but do not wait until the last minute to set a routine. Together with your child, try to wake up early and set structured educational activities in the morning. This is to make the transition less stressful and to help kids adjust to the school routine more easily.
5. Talk to your child about the upcoming academic year’s timing and schedule. As said before, if they are aware of what is coming, they will feel more proactive and positive.
6. Before school starts, visit the class and the teachers, along with your kids. This helps them feel more prepared to go back to that environment as the level of anxiety regarding the future uncertainty is reduced.
7. If you feel that your child feels unprepared, apprehensive, or excessively negative about going back to school, try to understand why. Ask questions and listen to what they have to say. If you cannot really help them calm down, consult a child psychologist. Sometimes, even if we think we have a good relationship with our children, they feel more comfortable sharing their feelings with a professional. Do not wait until school starts because the level of anxiety might be higher then. Being prepared on a practical, physical and emotional level is important and it can prevent your child from developing high levels of stress and negative feelings later on.
IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR NEXT SUMMER
How was the summer break? Among the many fun things that children did during the summer break, did you talk about back to school? The golden rule every summer break is to not forget talking to your kids about school. Every time there is an opportunity, mention their school or their schoolmates in order to remind them that when the holiday is over, they have go back to school. This helps to maintain a sort of continuity in their mind about school and will feel less detached about it come September.
Keep the kinship going: Another summer break best practice: whenever an opportunity arises, let your child spend time with his/her school mates. This helps keep the link strong between holiday time and school time. It also allows your child to create and maintain solid relationships with his/her friends. This social aspect is important for children and can be a great motivator for back to school enthusiasm.
If you are travelling, if possible, plan your return at least one week prior the start of the school. Some families can’t wait for the end of school to leave Dubai and its summer heat but if you come back only two days before school starts, this will be very stressful for children as it would be for parents. They need enough time to readjust and settle into a routine work/school begins.
