Back to School Routine Tips for Parents and Teachers

In this blog we offer advice to parents and teachers to help make the transition back to school as easy as possible.

Here are some suggestions for parents to help their children prepare:

1. Re-establish routines: Gradually reintroduce school-related routines a few days before school starts. This can be done with regular bedtime and wake-up times. Create healthy meal schedules to help children readjust their internal clocks.
2. Talk about expectations: Discuss with your children what it may be like when they return to school. Be honest about their upcoming schedule, changes in routine, and any new activities or subjects they will be engaging in. This helps them mentally prepare for the transition.
3. Review schoolwork: Good luck with this one! If possible, take some time to review and refresh your child's knowledge on key subjects. This can help them feel more confident and prepared when they return to the classroom.
4. Visit the school: If your child is starting a new school or moving to a different class, it can be helpful to make the environment more familiar by visiting the school before the first day. Have a walk around, find their classroom, meet their teaching team, and discuss any questions or concerns your child may have.
5. Discuss emotions: Returning to school can be a time of heightened emotions which could include anxiety and nervousness mixed with feelings of excitement about seeing their friends! Encourage your child to talk about how they feel about returning to school. Address any worries or anxieties they may have and provide reassurance and support. Let them know that it's normal to not know exactly how they may be feeling.
6. Set goals: Help your child set achievable goals for the upcoming school term. This could be related to academic performance, extracurricular activities, or personal growth. Setting goals can provide a sense of purpose and motivation.
7. Organise the school bag: Possibly the biggest and most important part of the school year – getting a new school bag and its contents all sorted! With your child, gather and organise textbooks, notebooks, pens, and other materials they will need. Having everything ready in advance can reduce stress on the first day back and can help with building excitement!
8. Establish communication channels: Your child needs to know how to be open with you and their teachers if something is worrying them. Ensure they know who to contact and how to seek help if needed.
9. Encourage well-being: Emphasise the importance of self-care including maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in physical activity. A balanced lifestyle supports overall well-being and can help children feel more energised and focused when at school.
10. Instil a positive mindset: Encourage your child to approach the new school term with a positive attitude. Highlight the opportunities for growth, new friendships, and exciting experiences that await them.

Looking for SEN Jobs? Click here to search our current roles

Each child is unique, and their needs may vary. Your approach may need to be adapted to suit your child's temperament and individual requirements. By providing support, encouragement, and a nurturing environment, parents can help their children transition smoothly back to school after a holiday.

In addition to parents putting in the groundwork at home, teachers, teaching assistants and all educators, can take several steps to prepare themselves for going back to school. Whilst it’s never fun working when you’re supposed to be on holiday, a few hours of preparation now will pay off in the first week back.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Review curriculum and materials: Familiarise yourself with the curriculum you'll be teaching and review the lesson plans, textbooks, and other instructional materials. Refresh your knowledge on the subjects and topics you'll be covering. If moving to a different age group or key stage, take time to get to know what you will be expected to deliver in your lessons.
2. Reflect on the previous term: Take time to evaluate what worked well and what could be improved from the previous term. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your teaching strategies and adjust as needed.
3. Set goals: These goals could relate to student achievement, classroom management, professional development, or personal growth. Setting clear goals will help guide your actions and focus your efforts.
4. Prepare the physical environment: Children like to feel comfortable in their surroundings. Arrange your classroom to create an organised, welcoming, and conducive learning environment. Set up desks, bulletin boards, and displays that reflect the upcoming curriculum and engage students visually.
5. Plan the first few weeks: Use engaging and interactive activities for the first few weeks of school to establish a positive classroom culture and build relationships with your students. Consider icebreakers, team-building exercises, and activities that promote a sense of community and inclusivity.
6. Update resources and technology: Check that your digital devices, teaching resources, and online platforms are working properly. Explore any new tools or resources that could enhance your teaching. Don’t wait until school starts to get to grips with new software as this will set you back before you’ve even started!
7. Communicate with colleagues: Connect with your fellow teachers to exchange ideas, share resources, and collaborate on lesson planning. Discuss any changes in policies or procedures, as well as any challenges or concerns you anticipate.
8. Attend professional development events : Take advantage of any workshops, seminars, or training sessions offered before the start of the term. These opportunities can provide valuable insights and equip you with new strategies and techniques.
9. Revisit classroom management strategies: Remind yourself of classroom management strategies and consider if any adjustments are needed. Plan how you will establish expectations, rules, and routines in the classroom and how you will address behavioural concerns. Take time to review the EHCP’s of children in your classroom to ensure their learning needs can be fully accommodated.
10. Take care of yourself: You are important! Ensure you are in the best possible state to meet the demands of the new term. Take time to rest, engage in activities that rejuvenate you, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This will help you bring your best self to the classroom.

By taking these steps, teachers can feel prepared, confident, and ready to provide a positive and enriching learning experience for their students as they return to school.

Good luck to all educators for the upcoming term, and well done to all parents for surviving the holidays!

Looking for SEN Jobs? Click here to search our current roles