Most parents are in the same boat when it comes to the everyday school routine. You’re regularly trying to set your children up for a positive school day while also being aware that they can experience big feelings like nervousness, anxiety, and frustration.
This is particularly true at the end of term breaks when they must return to the structured routine of the classroom.
While your kids are bound to prefer being at home where their toys are, you can use the following tips to make them as excited as possible about returning to school:
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Encourage Arts and Crafts
The start of a school term or year typically means being assigned a locker from a company like SchoolLockers to store school books and other supplies.
While it’s a practical storage solution, it can also be a fun arts-and-crafts project if your child is interested in arts and crafts.
Buy non-damaging art supplies your child can use to decorate their locker, such as magnet stickers, artwork they create themselves, locker carpet, and locker wallpaper.
Be sure to check with your school to see what level of customisation they allow so their students can flex their creative muscles.
If they don’t allow customisation, or your children want to take advantage of having new art supplies, you may allow them to personalise their other school gear, such as their lunchbox, notebooks, and backpack.
Create a Fun Morning Routine
If your child isn’t a morning person, they may not enjoy getting ready for school. This can make it challenging to start each day on a positive note.
While children thrive on predictable routines, you can modify your everyday morning routine to make it more fun and enjoyable before the school day begins.
For example, you might make their favorite breakfast once a week or play an upbeat music playlist while they get ready. A morning checklist can also be helpful, helping them feel accomplished.
Build Social Excitement
Many children don’t look forward to school because of the academic and structured learning. Yet, they enjoy seeing their friends and participating in events, sports, and clubs.
If your child enjoys the social side of school, highlight this in your school-related discussions.
Build social excitement around playdates with their classmates and conversations involving school events they enjoy participating in.
Children often look forward to heading off to school when they know there’s something fun awaiting them.
Ask Better Questions
We’re all guilty of asking the same question when our kids come home from school: ‘How was school?’
While there is nothing inherently wrong with this question, it doesn’t always encourage conversations about what positive things happened.
Reframe the question so your children can reflect on the parts of their day they enjoyed the most, such as ‘What made you laugh today?’ and ‘Who did you sit with at lunch?’ They can then be more inclined to view their school days in a more positive light.
As challenging as it can be for your kids to get excited about school, it’s possible with the right approach.
Master a positive morning routine, build excitement around their social interactions, and encourage them to personalise their school supplies. These can all be steps in the right direction.
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