Top Tips for Reducing Back to School Stress
The end of Summer is looming, the school supplies are strewn across the house, and the school uniform is drying on the line. But even though you can make sure your kids fit into their squeaky new school shoes, how can you make sure that they’re going to fit into this new chapter?
Whether they are starting school for the very first time, leaving primary school to go to secondary, or simply moving up a year, all children are going to feel a level of anxiety. Every step they make is going to be a big change. But each time it’s a new beginning, and it’s your job to make sure that they know that’s a good thing.
Here are some simple tips for helping your child deal with stress or anxiety.
Breathing
It may seem an obvious one, but focusing on your breathing forces you to practise mindfulness and forget external stresses. Try helping your child with this before sleeping, and if you can, implement it in the morning if you have time.
Help your child to imagine a boat rising and falling on a calmly moving ocean. Ask them to picture the waves, and the boat moving up and down. Do this in time with their breathing.
Sensing
A brilliant way of practising awareness and mindfulness is to sense the world around you. On the walk to school try asking your child what they can smell, hear and taste. Have them pick up a conker or feel the nearby bark of a tree and get them to really focus on what they’re sensing. It will distract their mind from anxiety and help them become aware of their surroundings. If you focus and hone in on different aspects of your environment, you are less likely to become overwhelmed.
A Safe Place
Create a calm environment in the house for your child. A small corner with a cosy, familiar blanket and toys will help them to relax. Use it together to help your child relax, until they know that’s where they can go to chill out. Put some plasticine or colouring in there to allow them to practice mindfulness.
Appreciation
Help your child to see the positives and blessings in their lives. Ask your child one thing that made them happy that day, or one thing they were thankful for. Then ask them one thing they are looking forward to tomorrow. A positive outlook is key to helping a child through those difficult times.
It is your responsibility to help them to know that change is ok. If you believe it they will start to believe it too.
