29/08/2022
Back to school
Just a reminder that your little one may be dealing with some back to school anxiety.
This may look different for many. Some may get very quiet or upset, angry or frustrated. They may not want to talk about school or that is perhaps all they talk about.
Try your best to listen to everything they say and not to brush of their worries. Reassure them as best you can.
Make sure you have a routine in place, starting now before they get back to school.
- Uniforms, shoes, bags, stationary, lunchbox etc ready
- Start bedtime routine
- Ensure they are up earlier, nearer to the time they get ready for school
- Let them choose their break and lunch, let them have some independence
- If your child needs to get a bus, perhaps take them that route, if known so they know what to expect
- Reassure them that yes it might be scary, with everything being new but that it will be exciting make new friends or seeing their friends again from last year
Equip them with some strategies, if they become very overwhelmed. This may include
- breathing techniques (star breathing or finger breathing)
- EFT tapping is amazing for kids (check out the slides to see the format for this)
- Marching on the step using arms and legs helps settle the nervous system down
- Go for a little run around the kitchen or outside, helps get rid of some adrenaline
- Let them use a worry stone or crystal, they can tell the stone or crystal their worries before they go to bed or school
- Let them take a small comfort with them if they want it, even if they have a small heart, let them kiss one side and you kiss the other, so that you can be with them throughout the day, through the small heart
- Affirmations- I am safe, I am happy, I am excited, I am relaxed
Listen to their little worries, be patient and understanding.
If anyone wants a printable version of the techniques let me know and I will send it to you through email.