With a new school year about to start in Australia, anxiety from both children and parents might be at an all time high.
Starting a new year with a new teacher, new classmates and sometimes a new school can raise a lot of what if’s - brains really don’t enjoy what if’s, do they?
We have put together some ideas on how to squash some of those what if’s.
Start your morning routine in the week or two leading up to going back to school.
Mornings can be tricky at the best of times but throw in anxiety and fear and you have created the perfect storm. By easing back into routine early can help with the adjustment. So, how do we create a morning routine whilst still in holiday mode?
Firstly, a good morning routine starts with a strong evening routine. Consistent bed times, choosing clothes and laying them out ready for the next day, some calming meditation music or guided meditation and even some gentle stretching or a massage.
As tempting as it is to do one more movie night or late night at the beach/park to get out that energy, it certainly won’t help the next morning.
Start the day calmly and done in the same order and timings that you will do on a school day. Add some flexibility in here so you can find the perfect morning routine for your family - before back to school starts. This is the perfect testing time.
Visit the school
Having a break away from somewhere familiar or going somewhere new can play havoc on your mind. If possible, arrange a time to visit the school, have a play on the playground, look in your classroom window if possible, look at where you will line up on your first morning or place your bag, check out where the toilets are, which classroom any siblings or friends will be in and what gate you will go through. You may need to do this a couple of times in the week leading into school as a practice run so that on the morning of day one it feels a little more familiar.
Be proactive - write a get to know you sheet
The thought of a new teacher who doesn’t know you can be daunting. How will they know when you need a time out? How will they know you are still listening hard when you are wiggling around on the floor? What if you need regular toilet breaks to reset?
Why not spend some time on the holidays to write a getting to know you letter to your new teacher. Spell out all those things that scare you, make you learn better and any special interests you might have.
We have a great template to download here if you need a prompt to get started.
Arrange a play date.
Being away from friends for a long period of time can cause some doubts about whether they will still be a friend when you start school again. If possible it is a good idea to arrange a playdate with a friend, particularly if they will be in the same class.
Why not kill two birds with one stone and arrange a catch up at the school, all children, not just the neurodiverse can benefit from a routine reminder.
What are some ways you prepare for the school year? Do you use any of the ones mentioned here?