Dr Martina Geromin, Co-Founder of School Beyond Limitations, gives advice on helping children overcome the back-to-school blues as a summer of fun comes to a close
As the final weeks of the summer holidays draw to a close, many children will experience a surge of anxiety in anticipation of returning to school. It’s perfectly natural to feel uneasy about the changes a new year brings – new teachers, a different school and classmates and unfamiliar routines can all heighten feelings of uncertainty. As a parent, you can play a crucial role in helping your child to navigate these anxieties while supporting their mental wellbeing and laying the groundwork for positive learning habits.
Children thrive on routine because it provides stability and predictability. This is why any disruption to that routine can be difficult to navigate, especially as the prospect of back to school draws closer. Establishing some form of routine during the long summer weeks is advisable.
During the last two weeks of the summer holidays, gently transition your child into a more structured routine that mirrors more closely what they will experience during the school year. For example, bed, dinner and wake-up times may have gone a little off-piste during the break, so bringing back more regular times will help them adjust ahead of the new school year. Consistency helps ease anxiety, as children will feel more in control of their feelings if they have a pattern to follow.
Validate concerns
Creating time for open and honest conversations is an important part of supporting your child’s wellbeing as they prepare for the new school year. Rather than avoiding the topic during the final weeks, make time to talk about returning to school but in a relaxed, unpressurised environment. This might be during a walk, while eating dinner or driving somewhere. Keep the conversation light and upbeat – ask your child how they feel about going back, what they are excited about and what they are worried about.
Encouraging your child to talk little and often can really help – simply being heard and having their feelings listened to can alleviate stress and anxiety. It also helps you to prepare ahead for any potential hurdles September may bring.
Once you start to pick up on the things your child might be concerned about, you can work on encouraging a positive mindset by reframing any negative thoughts or fears. For example, if they express worries about fitting in, making new friends, being unfamiliar with school buildings or coping academically, acknowledge these as real fears that many children have. Help them to recognise their own strengths and previous successes by reminding them of other times they felt worried where there was a positive outcome.
Share stories of your own school experiences – both good and bad – will help to remind them that we all go through this and further normalise their feelings. Discussing the various challenges and experiences of school life will help your child to view the upcoming year as an opportunity for growth rather than something to dread.
Where feasible, take physical steps to support your child too. For instance, if they are worried about making friends, could you reach out via the school or local community to find other children who are joining the school in September and perhaps arrange a meet up? Likewise, perhaps you could look at the school’s website together and familiarise yourselves with the site. If your child is simply moving up a school year, get them together with friends periodically during the summer weeks to strengthen and maintain friendships.
Engage in learning
Take the opportunity to involve your child in fun learning activities during the final weeks of the holidays. Visiting museums, sharing books, baking or creating fun science experiments at home is a reminder that learning can be enjoyable and takes place everywhere. Getting outdoors also does wonders for maintaining a positive mind and body – whether it’s riding a bike, swimming, or simply playing outside. Regular exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters and reduce feelings of anxiety while preparing children for the energy levels they will need when they get back to school.
The new school year is a period of transition, so helping your child to set realistic and achievable goals ahead of the return will make it feel more manageable. For example, focus on dealing with first-day nerves rather than what the term will bring. Discuss their hopes, whether academic, social, or personal, and how they will achieve them. This helps instil a sense of purpose and motivation, providing the positive focus they need as they embark on this new stage in their school journey.
As the big day approaches, remember that the goal isn’t to eliminate all nerves but to equip your child with the tools and mindset to navigate change with confidence. By fostering open communication, re-establishing structure, encouraging a love for learning, and offering both emotional and practical support, you help lay the foundation for a smooth transition back to school.
Every new school year presents a fresh opportunity – not just for academic achievement, but for growth in resilience, independence and self-belief. With your guidance and encouragement, your child can start the year not just ready, but excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
School Beyond Limitations school-beyond-limitations.com
Further reading: Teen Tips on supporting a child through a tricky patch
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