Well, after months in lockdown, we can hardly believe that many children in Aotearoa will now be back at school!
Most kids will no doubt be thrilled to be back learning in-person and seeing their friends again however, there may be some that are feeling a little anxious about returning to school, especially given the stressful year we’ve all had.
Here are a few Shine Tips to help boost ‘back to school’ confidence!
Give children a safe space to share highlights and lowlights
Set aside time each day for an emotional check in with your little ones. To prompt this discussion, you could ask your kids to share what the ‘peak’ (highlight) and ‘pit’ (lowlight) of their school day was. This fun activity often sparks a lot more conversation than ‘how was your day?’ and gives young people a regular platform to share how they are feeling.
Play some language games on the way to school
Some children might be feeling a little nervous about communicating with others after such a long period in lockdown. Playing some simple language games like “I Spy” in the car on the way to school is a fun way to help children to practice sharing their ideas before class starts.
To begin: One person says ‘I spy with my little eye something beginning with a, b, c, d etc…’
Set a routine
There are a lot of unknowns right now, and some children may be struggling with the reality of going back to school. Setting a routine is a great way to ease anxiety and help provide some consistency during this time. Even simple things like regular bedtimes can make a big difference to a child’s sense of stability.
We hope your children enjoy their last weeks of term before the summer holidays.
Shine on!