Tips to make going back to school easier

BarcelonaThere are families who have had September 8th marked on their calendars for days. And there are also children who are already looking forward to returning to school to see their friends and resume routines. However, there may be someone who is return becomes heavy for you, who finds it hard to get up early again, or who find moving to a different school or college a mountain to climb. That's why we're giving you some easy-to-follow tips to make returning to your routine more enjoyable.

It's a good idea to start gradually establishing routines, especially regarding bedtimes and wake-up times, at least a week beforehand, because families tend to be more lax during the summer.

A few days beforehand, it's a good idea to start moving your bedtime forward (a little earlier each day) and wake-up time forward so that getting up early isn't so hard later on. We can help ourselves with visual tools To help them establish routines, especially with the little ones.

We can also plan ahead and explain to them, in the days leading up to the event, what the routines will be like starting on September 8th: what their schedule will be, who will take them and pick them up, who their teachers will be, etc. This can help them gain confidence.

We can organize and prepare the school supplies your child will need with us, involving them in the entire process and encouraging their independence. Plus, preparing school supplies is one of the things they're most excited about.

It can also be very helpful to start planning breakfasts. Here are some ideas which include whole grains, dairy products, fruits and healthy fats to start the course with energy.

Children are always watching us, so showing joy about returning to school and returning to routines can be helpful. If returning to school is causing them anxiety, it's important to give them space to express themselves and let them know that it's normal to be scared or nervous, especially if they're starting elementary school or high school for the first time.

As children, they don't understand the notion of time. If we tell them there are seven days left until school starts, they won't understand, because it's an abstract concept. That's why Educational consultant Cristina Martínez proposes a simple and visual tool What it's like to create a chain simulating a countdown (as seen in the photo). For example, the week before, we prepared a chain made up of seven pieces of paper, as many as there are days left until school starts. Each morning, we'll remove a piece of paper. Since it's a tangible material, they'll be more aware of the passage of time.

If it is about children who start for the first time I3 either They go to kindergarten for the first timeExperts assure that, if possible, it's advisable to have an adjustment period, as they'll be in a new place, with new classmates and teachers, and with new routines. But this isn't always possible, as work schedules don't allow for this. These are some basic recommendations:

Many centers choose to start with a few hours of attendance during the first week and gradually increase the number of hours. However, flexibility is advised whenever possible, as not all children will need the same adjustment period.

"I understand," "Don't worry," "I'll come get you," "Everything will be okay," "I'll leave you here with the teacher" are some of the phrases experts recommend, as well as physical contact with hugs and caresses.

Mothers and fathers should try to convey their complete peace of mind to their children and should never leave without saying goodbye to their son or daughter, even if it means they will cry.

In the case of daycare, experts suggest that the adaptation should last longer than a week—about two weeks—and parents should enter the space with their child.

On the first day of school, it's recommended to get up early so you don't have to rush in the morning. It's also recommended to be alert when picking up children, as the little ones may cry and unravel the emotions of the entire day. A good idea is to leave their clothes and backpack ready the day before. When we arrive at school, it's important to say goodbye to the child and remind them that we'll pick them up later, rather than taking advantage of a distracted moment to leave without them seeing us.