Struggling to Get Your Child to School? Expert Psychologist Tips to Help!

Getting back into a routine after a long break is always tough. Kids and parents alike can feel the stress. To help everyone calm down and assist your child in adapting to school and studies more quickly, we’ve gathered advice from education expert and psychologist Svetlana Radkova. These tips are perfect for parents of younger schoolchildren.

1. Don’t Pressure Your Child with High Expectations

School doesn’t mean your child has to give up everything they enjoyed before, like playing and relaxing. Education is important, but it shouldn’t consume their entire world. It’s crucial to balance school life with personal happiness.

Instead of asking, “What grade did you get?” or “Did the teacher praise you?”, try asking, “What did you enjoy most today?” or “What did your friends talk about?”.

2. Maintain a Consistent Daily Routine

Children thrive on predictability. It brings a sense of calm. Chaotic mornings can be more draining than you think. While your child is in elementary school, take responsibility for ensuring mornings run smoothly. If your child struggles to get out of bed or takes too long to choose clothes, avoid yelling. Instead, reorganize morning rituals to make them calmer for everyone.

Younger children often struggle with time management. It’s a fact we can’t argue with.

3. Make Mornings More Enjoyable

Here are some ideas to make mornings better:

Wake your child up a bit earlier if they need more time to get ready.
Surprise them with small treats, like their favorite cocoa or a candy under their pillow.
Create a fun goodbye ritual before school.
Give them a small talisman or toy to take to class. This can help them share their secrets, fears, and grievances when you’re not around.

4. Avoid Expressing Your School-Related Anxieties in Front of Your Child

Children often gauge situations based on the reactions of important adults in their lives. If you express fear or criticism, your child may take your words very seriously, even if you don’t realize it.

Avoid discussing your concerns about your child with others in their presence. Such comments can be very hurtful.

5. Validate Your Child’s Feelings

Listen, empathize, and offer real help. This is especially important if your child is upset about being scolded by a teacher or bullied by classmates. You can act as a mediator in conflicts with other children.

Teach your child games that attract other kids, how to avoid conflicts, make up, negotiate, and even perform magic tricks or make origami toys. Explain that the bully might have been hurt by someone else and is passing on that pain. Encourage your child to end this cycle by not holding grudges.

Suggest your child smile at the unfriendly kid and ask, “Are you playing today? What do you like to play?” or “Did you forget to bring an apple today? I have two. Here, have one.” This might help defuse the conflict.

Avoid jumping to conclusions. Younger children are still developing their ability to assess situations and may sometimes exaggerate or manipulate attention unconsciously or consciously. Tell your child, “I believe you” or “I will help you,” and discuss the incident with both your child and the teacher. This shows your child that you are not driven by emotions alone and helps prevent manipulation.

For more insights, check out this resource on helping children adjust to school.