1. Reintroduce Routine Gradually
A few days before school starts, begin transitioning back to the school routine:
- Reinstate school bedtime and wake-up schedules.
- Encourage structured learning activities, like reading or math games.
- Talk about the school day schedule to help children mentally prepare.
For expatriate children who have traveled, adjusting to a new time zone can be an added challenge. Slowly shifting bedtime and mealtimes to match the school routine can ease the transition.
2. Acknowledge and Validate Their Feelings
Rather than dismissing a child's anxiety with phrases like “You’ll be fine,” acknowledge their emotions:
- “I see that you’re feeling nervous about school. That makes sense after a long break.”
- “Let’s talk about what’s worrying you. What part of the school day feels the hardest?”
Validating their feelings helps children feel heard and gives them the confidence to navigate their emotions.
3. Reconnect with Friends Before School Starts
For expatriate children, friendships can feel unstable if classmates have moved away or formed new social circles. Help ease social anxiety by:
- Setting up playdates or video calls with school friends before the first day.
- Encouraging older children to reach out via messaging apps.
- Reassuring them that friendships take time to rebuild, and others might feel the same way.
Create a Transition Object or Ritual
Young children may benefit from a transition object, like a small token from home, to help them feel secure at school. Older children may find comfort in a pre-school ritual, such as:
- Writing a short note to keep in their backpack.
- Practicing deep breathing before entering the school.
- Having a “goodbye” handshake or hug routine.
5. Communicate with Teachers
Teachers can be a key source of support for anxious children. Parents should:
- Inform teachers about their child’s worries.
- Ask about any changes in classroom routines or seating arrangements.
- Work together to create a gradual reintegration plan, such as allowing anxious children extra time to settle into the school environment.
Teachers, in turn, can support children by:
- Pairing them with a buddy for the first few days.
- Checking in with them discreetly during the day.
- Creating a predictable classroom routine to reduce uncertainty.
For expatriate children, returning to school after a vacation is more than just resuming academics—it’s a cultural and emotional shift. By understanding the underlying reasons for their anxiety and using evidence-based strategies, parents and teachers can help ease the transition, making school a place of comfort rather than stress.
With patience, routine, and open communication, anxious children can build resilience and confidence, making each return to school a little easier.
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