How To Prepare Your Kids Now That They're Going Back To School

Schools are reopening cross the country and some kids are heading back into classrooms after months of remote learning. “Children being unusually clingy, picking at their food and not sleeping are all signs that there’s something going on for them,” said Gummer of younger kids. “If it’s school-related, they may clam up when you mention it, or could even try and hide their lunch box or school uniform.” How can you encourage children to open up? This involves saying a phrase such as: “I’m wondering if you’re feeling a bit nervous or excited about going back to school?” “Labelling their feelings and just putting it out there can be so powerful,” explained O’Hare, “because a child might say ‘yes, that’s exactly how I’m feeling,’ or it gives them a chance to say ‘no, I’m actually really sad because we played loads of games and I’m going to miss you.’ It just opens up the conversation.” With older kids, it can help to given them advance warning of the conversation and what you hope to discuss, so it doesn’t feel like an unexpected interrogation. This doesn’t need to be too formal, you can say something like: “Later this week, maybe Friday, we could have a chat about going back to school and how you’re feeling about it?” Open questions are key – “Are you looking forward to going back to school?” is a yes or no question.