Tips for a Calm and Positive Return

One of the most important moments of the year for many families is the return to school. After a well-deserved vacation, in which everything is taken calmly and without haste, resuming school routines can generate a little uncertainty, both in children and adults. Not to worry, this process does not have to be stressful! With a few small adjustments and a lot of empathy, we can make going back to school a positive experience for everyone.

Here are some recommendations so that both children and parents can return with calm and confidence.
1. Recover Routines Gradually
During the vacations, it is normal to alter your sleep, eating and even activity schedules. For this reason, we suggest that you begin to resume routines a few days before the return to school. This way, the change will be less abrupt and everyone will adapt better. Here are some ideas:

• Start putting children to bed and getting them up a little earlier each day.
• Establish fixed meal times.
• Reintroduce moments of calm: reading, playing quietly, organizing materials.

This preliminary step will help both body and mind adjust smoothly.

2. Talk about school naturally
Children go through a whole range of emotions when it’s time to go back to school: excitement, nerves, joy, insecurity… The important thing is to validate those feelings. Listening to their fears and talking with them in an open and understanding way will make them face going back to school with more confidence. Here are some ideas:

• Make a list of “things I’m looking forward to doing at school”.
• Remember positive moments from the previous year.
• Listen and validate their fears without minimizing them.

Sometimes, rather than giving perfect answers, the most valuable thing is to provide a safe space to talk.

3. Prepare School Supplies Together
Involving children in the preparations is a fun way to make them feel part of the process. In addition, this can help them build positive expectations about returning. Here are some ideas:

• Choose together the pencil case or school accessories.
• Lining books, labeling materials and preparing the uniform.
• Make a “test backpack” to make the first day easier.

These little rituals will share illusion and also give them a sense of control over the return.

4. Create a Positive Atmosphere at Home
The attitude of adults is key for children to perceive the return to school in a positive way. Change phrases such as “you’re running out of vacation” for more optimistic ones:

• “How I look forward to seeing your friends!”
• “You’re sure to learn some super interesting things this year.”
• “This will be a course full of adventure.”

Enthusiasm is contagious, and if you transmit it, they will feel it!

5. Take Care of Emotional Well-Being the First Days
Adjusting to returning home often takes time. The first few days can be filled with fatigue, heightened emotions and, at times, a bit of resistance. Some recommendations for those days:

• Dedicate quiet moments at the end of the day to relax and unwind.
• Ask how they feel, keep conversations open.
• Do not overload the afternoons with too many activities at the beginning.

It must be remembered that each child adapts at his or her own pace, and there is no hurry.

Because Back to School is also Growing
Back to school is not just a return to school, but an opportunity to continue growing, both for children and families. With a calm, loving and flexible approach, this return to school can strengthen family bonds, encourage good habits and start the school year with lots of positive energy.

From EISB, we are here to accompany you in this process. We know that emotional well-being is the basis for any learning, and with that approach, everything is easier.

See you at school!