3 Tips for the New School Year

Once again, we are at the beginning of a new school year. It's the end of school holidays, Christmas seems like a distant blur and now you're back to the early morning rush of lunches, homework, packing bags and getting kids off to school on time. Whilst this can be an exciting time, and getting back into things can be a relief, some kids really struggle with the transition. It can help to step back and look at how you can plan the best start to the new year. Here are 3 tips parents say they find helpful:

1. Be Organised

There is a lot to do in the lead up to the first day of school, and sometimes it is hard to remember all the little things that need get done. Writing a list can help you think through everything that needs to happen. Putting a time frame on each item on your to do list can help with time management. By getting everything sorted early, you can avoid the last minute rush and you can all have an easier transition into the new school year.

2. Get Into A Routine Before School Starts

Parents say that it can help to get their kids into routine a week before school starts. This includes getting to bed on time and waking up around school time. Importantly, this can also be a really good opportunity to set up helpful habits such as no screen time in the mornings. Some parents find that implementing a reward system can work well, with a chart outlining clear expectations for what to expect getting ready and when coming home from school.

3. Talk About and Visit School Before It Starts

Some kids are quite nervous before their first day, particularly the first day of Kindi or High School. Children are stepping into a new and unfamiliar environment that has a lot of uncertainty at first, and uncertainty is often a source for anxiety. By talking about school and taking opportunities to walk past and visit school, children can feel more at ease.

Lots of parents that we talk to say that it can be helpful to have the support of an online psychologist. We often get feedback that having someone outside of your daily life can be really helpful, and can fit conveniently early morning, during lunch or at night when the kids have gone to bed.