Preparing your child for school: 7 important tips to relieve stress in your child
Preparing your child for school: 7 important tips to relieve stress in your child
New subjects, early awakenings, and an unusual load after the holidays can cause stress in a child. The following practical steps will make it easier to adapt.
**1. Change the regime gradually**
Set the alarm clock 10–15 minutes earlier every day. For example, if during the holidays you wake up 2 hours later than the required time, it will take about 10 days to fully adapt. Also, move the bedtime earlier by 10–15 minutes. Stop using your phone and tablet 1 hour earlier.
**2. Prepare the necessary equipment in advance**
Get a notebook, pen, pencil, diary, etc. 1–2 weeks in advance with a list. Give the child the freedom to choose a design: a favorite diary, a comfortable pencil, a beautiful ruler - it will cheer him up. Create a “back to school” mood: turn shopping into an exciting, festive process.
**3. Make it easy to study**
Check the desk and chair: is it at a comfortable height, is there enough lighting? Cheap and simple solutions also work: a new organizer for pens and pencils, decorating the glass yourself. Resharpen all the pencils, update the old rulers - even small conveniences increase attention.
**4. Don’t scare them with school difficulties**
Instead of saying “you forgot everything”, remember the achievements of the past year. Discuss what can be interesting in the new year: new subjects, new friends, new hobbies. Set goals with your child for this year: “What will we try this year? What skills will we develop?”
**5. Be there for the first 2 weeks when creating a schedule**
Set aside time in advance for homework, clubs, and relaxation. Don’t immediately start doing homework after class — 30–60 minutes of rest/walking outdoors is useful. Determine which subjects are easy and which are difficult; find visual materials, podcasts, short videos for difficult subjects. Choose a convenient format: a wall chart, a diary, or a Google Doc.
**6. Introduce new activities gradually**
Don’t start all the classes in the first week — add one at a time per week. Don’t scold too hard for initial mistakes (uneven writing, incomplete answers) — give them time to adapt. If the load is enough by week 3–4, it’s normal to give up the excess.
**7. Take care of your health**
Also make time for a varied diet and at least 60 minutes of active movement every day (walking, running, cycling, etc.). Walk outdoors for at least 1 hour every day. See a pediatrician before the school year; schedule any necessary tests. Don't forget about your vision test: change your desk position if necessary.
**Brief recommendations:**
* Set your alarm clock 10–15 minutes earlier every day.
* No screens 1 hour before bedtime.
* Make a list of school purchases 1–2 weeks in advance.
* Have a desk, chair, light, and organizers ready.
* Take a 30–60 minute break after class.
* Review your weekly schedule together.
* Don't add more than one new group per week.
* Schedule a pediatrician and eye doctor appointment.
In short, treating preparation like a holiday, keeping studying and resting in moderation, positive communication, and gradual loading will greatly ease the stress of adaptation.