This year the school year begins earlier in the Valencian Community, specifically on September 3, practically a week earlier than in previous years. Hours are added to the school year, since completion is scheduled for the same dates as always. Thus, to the nerves with which the children face their first day of classes, some more stress will be added for the parents (you know: material, line books, etc).
If it is also hot today, the kids will be more tired for a couple of weeks, until we regulate the pace. Every year, those children who, asked by the journalists who interview at the doors of the schools, call me attention, say they are delighted to be reunited with their classmates. They attract my attention because in person I haven't met any like that, the attitude is more of “that roll, with how well you are on vacation”, or “who wants the companions to be sitting five hours a day when they have friends exploring landscapes at night or challenging the waves on the beach?
Even my son who is almost 11 years old and values the company of his peers, says with some sadness "Go, again to school ..."
The changes are difficult, even if we know what we face; In this case, our children will have to endure pressure again, organize again to study, get up early, have less time to play. It is true that it is not a great change such as a move, but despite the fact that children seem very adaptable, this is not always the case depending on the emotions of each one. Also, let's not forget that a good part of the changes they face are not even decided by them, so don't confuse adaptability with resignation. What is certain is that it is easier when there are aspects of their lives that remain immutable (their parents, their siblings, their spaces, their usual friends, their extended family, ...).
This is why the role of parents in the transition should be emphasized, and not only favoring the reorganization of routines (hard task to spend a week of bedtime at 12 because they are employer parties to have to do it at 10 and half to be able to have slept a minimum of nine hours when the alarm sounds.)
Take care of the emotional response
Although it seems little, address the expression of emotions in children, is a great step forward, because feeling understood will give them strength to cope with the first days (if not weeks) of class. After all, it is also difficult for adults to adapt, and we do not want to minimize our 'suffering'. This has a lot to do with listening and accepting how the child feels, or what his wishes are (although they cannot be fulfilled).
There is three attitudes to banish, although it is comfortable to offer our response around them:
I get angry at the boy because he cries when he thinks he should go back to school.
Relativize your feelings, or I divert attention: "Mom, I don't feel like having new books, because I would like to stay at home." The possible inadequate answers (in order) would be: “Come, come with me to buy books and you will see how it happens”; or “look at that offer of surfboards! (when you do not plan to buy any and less about to end the summer). ”
I deny the experience of my son, explaining that school is fun (let's recognize that applying that adjective is not always appropriate), or ensuring that those children he is afraid of because they made fun of him, surely they already treat him well ...
How do children express themselves?
They may be able to elaborate their feelings well, or they may simply cry for no apparent (but yes) reason; They may have a stomachache or get mad at us. The expression of emotions is not always rational, it is not in many adults, how it would be in children; but we can help them verbalizing what we think they feel, or expressing how we feel when they should return to school, or when it is August 31 and we know that the next day we will get up at six.
In addition to speaking, children will like us to be positive rescuing those aspects that we like the most, or we think they might like the school (I do not care "how good you start, so I will not have to take you to the pool"). Do you like your cycle teacher? Do you know that your son is passionate about the human body and that in third grade he will learn more about him? Do you finally agree to have a fluorescent marker in the case? Are you happy because finally your school leaves the books and begins an experimental program with digital files and study book?
The first day…
The kids will be nervous: they have not seen their peers in two long months, they will go from having the whole day off, to be conditioned by schedules and routines, they know that their best friend has changed schools. Everyone knows what things facilitate the transition with their children, but there are some recommendations of general application that can help.
Previously (a couple of days before), take your backpack, books and material to a common place in the house, so they can help you organize it. It is a first contact with the reality that awaits them, and also help to line, mark and find compass and angle measurer, it will keep them busy and may relax them.
They may also wish to make a wall calendar, to write down and have daily tasks, exams (when available), reference books, papers, etc.
Things we already know
And we can't forget… That they start getting enough sleep from a few days before, or at least from the previous day, that they have breakfast well, that they take a bath the night before to feel clean and a little quieter, resume the story routine before sleep.
In addition, the first days they appreciate that we are at home when they return from school, in fact there are parents who use part of the holidays, or any of the days of free disposal for this purpose. So we will have more time to tell us, and to rejoice with the satisfaction of the first test passed, or to embrace them when things do not go as expected.
In conclusion, certain body manifestations are considered normal: a little headache, belly ache, nervousness. Everyone knows their children and knows when it is time to consult with the pediatrician or guardian, because a child continues to cry or in pain two months later can be indicative of unresolved problems at school.
Images | Eden, Janine and Jim, US Department of Education On Peques and More | Children who change to the stage of Primary Education need the support of their parents, How to give stability to children before a change of school, On the day that begins again the school would like to tell you that I have spent the best summer of my lifetime
