Now that the July/August holidays have come to an end, it can be hard for both parents and children to get back to their regular school schedule. The key to adjusting well is to plan ahead. It may help to identify strategies to stay organised and assist your child to ease back into their school routine without much resistance. If you, the parent, stay calm, reassuring and constructive, your child in turn will feel both confident and competent.

Being adequately prepared for the new school term goes a long way in enabling your child’s transition back to school so they head off feeling excited and ready to get to work. It is also important to be honest with your children and tell them you will miss them too. However, be sure to stress that they will have exciting experiences at school. Be empathetic, be compassionate – but also be firm.

Here are some practical tips to guide you through the new school term:

Ensure your child gets enough rest

Ease your children back into a routine that ensures that they get a full eight hours of sleep each night. The days leading up to the first day of school are the best time to wean them off going to bed late and sleeping late. This will get them ready for the busy days ahead, making sure that they are alert and ready to learn.

Exercise their brain

Children need to warm up and get back in a learning frame of mind before heading back to school. You can get them readjusted by encouraging them to read their new textbooks ahead of time and get familiar with what they are about to learn in this new school year.

Set goals together

Get a pen and paper, sit down with your children and identify the main goals for the next three-six months. These should be academic, extra-curricular, social and family goals. Stick them up where they can be easily seen and make sure to revisit them often together to stay on track.

Set strict social media guidelines

Gently warn your children about their social media usage and its potential negative effects on their academic performance. Set strict hours and guidelines surrounding social media and cell phone use. Keep well-informed of where and when your children go on the internet and with whom they communicate.

Establish an official homework area and routine

Setting up a homework routine and space is an important practice for your children. It not only ensures that schoolwork is done in time, but it also teaches them some very important life skills such as how to manage their time effectively, prioritise and even keep their special area clean and tidy.

Focus on the positives

Have your children identify five things that they are excited about for the upcoming term. This could be anything from being reunited with their friends to getting back into their extra-curricular activities.

As parents you have the sole responsibility, accountability and the authority to manage the education of your children. Aim to be consistent in this endeavour and remember to teach and guide them. Rest assured that with these tips, the back to school transition will be easier than you think.