Sat. Oct 5th, 2024

As summer ends, children across the UK are returning to the classroom this week. With the start of a new academic year comes the usual apprehension and anxiety for students and parents alike.

Back-to-school stress is natural and understandable, but it has become more common since the disruptions of the pandemic. Numerous issues can fuel back-to-school anxiety. Some children may be anxious over the challenges around friendships; others may feel apprehension over the changing routine after a long summer break, and for others, joining a new school or class could fuel it.

Regardless of the situation, some simple strategies taken by parents can help ease their child back into the school environment and routine.

Encourage communication 

Open and honest communication is critical to helping the entire family adjust to the change. Talk and acknowledge how your child feels about the return to school and if they have any specific worries.

Be optimistic! A positive approach helps children face the future with optimism, not fear. Tell your child about your positive memories from school, and encourage them to talk about what they are looking forward to.

Make sure to be available when they come to you and answer any questions they have to help them work out what to expect. In the first few weeks, check in casually to see how they are getting on – even the smallest moments together can have the biggest impact on your child.

School refusal

Non-attendance is a complex and growing issue in the UK, and various factors can contribute to your child’s refusal to go to school. Reasons range from your child’s mental and/or physical health, the lasting effect of social isolation during the pandemic, stress over the cost-of-living crisis, parent-school engagement, school bullying and family functioning to even the amount of community support your child receives. The compounding nature of these factors is increasing stress levels among children, making many feel overwhelmed and for some this can lead to using  avoidance tactics as a coping mechanism.

Therefore, if your child refuses to go to school or is not looking forward to their first weeks back, be patient. Give them a safe space to voice their worries to help them feel more comfortable about attending school. Open dialogue will make them more likely to contact you with any concerns.

Routine 

Returning to the rigorous routine can be a real challenge, with back-to-school meaning earlier wake-up times and long, busier days. Prepare for this by easing your child back into a more regular schedule to help them hit the ground running as school returns.

Helping them pack their bags the night before and encouraging them to talk with you about what they will be doing can create a positive start to the school year.

Going back to school can be a time of significant changes and excitement. However, if your children’s anxiety goes beyond normal back-to-school jitters and begins to impact their health, you can seek the help of your GP, their school or Mental Health Support Teams.

Parents are hugely influential in helping children feel settled for their first school day. If you feel you could benefit from support as a parent, accessing evidence-based parenting programmes can provide practical strategies and tools to help children manage anxiety and gain confidence. This will help give your children the best chance of enjoying their first day at school and beyond.

Matt Buttery is CEO of Triple P UK and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Warwick

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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