Starting the new school year can be a daunting time for many students, especially those starting milestone years, such as Kindergarten or Year 7. With new classes, new faces and new teachers, it can be the source of angst for even the most confident of children. These feelings are normal and should be expected, but as parents, there are many ways you can help your children to feel better prepared and ease them into the new school year.
Leading up to the beginning of term, encourage your child to maintain a solid routine so that when they start back at school it’s not such a shock to the system. A consistent sleep schedule and healthy eating patterns are a great way to establish the basic routines that will be important for students adapting to the vibrant, in-depth curriculum that they will encounter at Orana Steiner School.
Take notice of your child’s mood and monitor any out-of-the-ordinary behaviour. If your child seems apprehensive about the upcoming school year, talk to them about it. Dr Donna Novak, a clinical psychologist specialising in anxiety, recommends asking your child if they are feeling nervous about going back to school and to share exactly what makes them feel this way. Once you’ve identified what your child is anxious about, you can work together to help them cope with the idea of returning to school. Simply talking to a parent or carer can help alleviate the feelings of apprehension for many children.
For lots of students, social interactions over the past year have been disrupted with lockdowns and remote learning, and for many, the thought of being around a new group of classmates can be intimidating. Plan social activities with your child’s friends and other families in the Orana community, so that your child will have friends and familiar faces to rely on when they return to school and so they can feel a sense of belonging at Orana.
Orana is a safe and gentle place where staff, students and parents form strong partnerships, creating a sense of belonging and warmth in the community. In the first few weeks of school feel free to reach out to your child’s teachers to discuss your child’s progress and needs. This helps your child’s teachers better understand their students’ needs, allowing children to ease into their classes and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
We hope your child has a wonderful first week at Orana Steiner School!
