Expert Tips for a Successful Return to School | Directions | Magazine

Make the return to school not stressful or overwhelming for parents and children. The experts consulted agreed that it is recommended to resume daily activities a few weeks before the start of the new school year. Therefore, it is necessary to establish and resume a sleep schedule, a hygiene schedule, increase healthy eating, order habits, limit the use of electronic devices before bedtime, etc.

“Resuming normal life in the new school year requires a lot of patience and organization in terms of scheduling and space to avoid sudden changes in family routines,” said Ruth León Gavilanes, elementary education teacher and shadow teacher.

Good habits

She recommends reworking the schedule step by step and adding reading activities based on children and teens’ interests two to three weeks before the school year begins.

Restoring a daily routine helps children develop better psychologically, develop habits and be able to organize more effectively. If the established patterns are adequate, restoring them will not be much of a problem, he added.

“Now is a time of reflection for parents, they must add new habits and let go of some that were not good enough in previous years. Although the new routine will take more time, it should be implemented if necessary. The key is perseverance,” said teacher Ruth Lyon.

Adjust time

María Odette León de Gómez, a clinical psychologist trained in emotion-focused therapy and certified in positive discipline, said returning to school should not be a stressful experience if each family adjusts their own schedule and routine, supports each other and accompanies the family.

“Pack lunch boxes and uniforms the night before so supplies can be stored in backpacks. Making this part of the student’s responsibility can ensure that mornings go further.” Maria Odette Leon, Psychologist.

Essential Steps to a Winning Routine

• Decide what you want to achieve. It must be a realistic goal and based on the age of the child and their interests.

• Create a step-by-step routine. Change one thing at a time so they don’t get overwhelmed.

• Explain what you hope to achieve to the member responsible for the minor’s care.

• Develop strategies when difficulties arise. Identify what is negotiable and what is not.

• Teach values ​​that promote shared responsibility, commitment and persistence in tasks. “It is important to identify positive and negative consequences for each action and to abide by them when carrying them out. This will help promote their independence, security and self-confidence,” says Ruth León.

Are you going to a new school or college?

“It is very important for children or adolescents to get to know their new school firsthand, to visit new classrooms, parks, sports fields… and at least to establish contact with collaborators from different countries,” says clinical psychologist María Odette León de Gómez.

Additionally, parents should talk about feelings of worry, fear, or anxiety when having to interact with new classmates and teachers, “and explain to them that probably for many children, even though they are former students of the school, the first day of school makes them feel exactly the same way, and that it is part of a new beginning,” he mentioned.

Together for a successful year

In order not to let grades drop or to give children extra time, you have to start working from the beginning of the school year. It is important for every parent or representative to make sure that the student does not have any specific learning difficulties.

“What used to be called ‘lazy’, ‘sloth’, ‘clumsy’, now in the education world there is all sorts of scientific evidence that by developing different skills, it is possible for children to achieve their learning goals and complete their studies. María Odette León, a clinical psychologist, said.

For her, it is important that parents are connected to their students’ education and what they are taught from the beginning, and know how to accompany them throughout the learning process of the school year, asking questions, reflecting, giving opinions, understanding their thoughts and getting to know them. “This is also part of being a parent,” the expert said.