Some may recall the struggle of getting adjusted to the busy schedule of being a parent and returning your child back to school following the holiday season. I have completed a review that will allow both children and families to have a much more successful transition back into the workplace and classroom setting. Here are a few tips that will make the transition more smoother.
1. Ensure to keep a consistent bedtime schedule. While this may be difficult, it is important to stick as close as possible to a bedtime schedule to prevent disruption to the normal sleeping schedule. As a lack of sleep brings on the following risk factors: diabetes, hypertension (HTN), Attention Deficit Disorder, weight concerns, and depression. Brooks, D’Ambrosio, Hall, Kotagal, Lloyd, Malow, Maski, Nichols, Quan, Rosen, Troester, & Wise (2016). It is suggested that parents create a window of 10-15 minutes from tge holiday, back to the normal sleep routine.
2. Plan for your child(ren) to return to school by creating a back to school schedule. This will allow the child to prepare both mentally and physically for returning back to school. The schedule can be used to remind the child of the upcoming days back to school. This method can also decrease the anxiety of children returning to school following the holiday season.
3. When the child(ren) return back to school, it is important to praise the child for their efforts of preparing and returning back to school. This will allow the child(ren) to feel a greater sense of self.
4. Ensure the child(ren) has the appropriate school supplies and materials to return back to school.
5. Create a morning and after school routine that will be suitable to the needs of both children and parents. Ensure breakfast and lunched are prepared, hygiene schedules and chores are in place, and after school homework schedules are in place.
6. Listen to your child(ren), and their feelings about returning and being in school. Many times parents can understand and validate their child’s feelings by confirming exactly what is needed in both the school and home setting.
7. Create an important discussion about the next school year. This can decrease any uncertainty about returning back to school.
References
Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D'Ambrosio C, Hall WA, Kotagal S, Lloyd RM, Malow BA, Maski K, Nichols C, Quan SF, Rosen CL, Troester MM, Wise MS. Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: a consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2016; 12(6):785-786.
Tapp, F. (2022). 7 tips for transitioning back to school after winter break. Retrieved on January 6, 2024 from https://www.parents.com/transi...winter-break-6828862
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