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6 Effective Strategies to Mentally Prepare Young Children (Ages 6-10) for School After a Long Holiday

The long holidays are a time of fun, relaxation, and often, a departure from routines. However, transitioning back to school can be challenging for children aged 6-10 and their parents alike. This blog explores six effective strategies to prepare children mentally for the school year, complete with practical examples, rationales, and common challenges parents face during this transition.




Common Challenges for Parents After Long Holidays

  1. Resistance to Change:Children may resist routines or show signs of post-holiday blues. Patience and creativity in re-establishing structure are key.

  2. Parental Workload:Balancing work, household duties, and helping children transition can feel overwhelming. Delegating tasks or setting manageable goals can ease the pressure.

  3. Screen-Time Dependency:Children often develop excessive screen habits during holidays. Gradually reduce screen time and replace it with engaging, hands-on activities.

  4. Anxiety and Emotional Outbursts:Some children may exhibit clinginess or tantrums due to separation anxiety or fear of school. Validate their feelings and offer reassurance to build their confidence.


1. Reintroduce Routines Gradually

Example:Start waking your child up at the same time they would need to rise for school about a week before school starts. Similarly, set consistent bedtimes and meal times to match the school schedule.


Rationale:Children thrive on predictability. Establishing a routine helps them reset their biological clocks, reducing morning crankiness and improving focus when school begins.


Challenges:Parents often struggle to enforce routines, especially when children resist bedtime or feel they are "losing" the last days of freedom. A solution is to make the transition fun—such as letting them choose their favorite breakfast to look forward to in the morning.


2. Reignite a Love for Learning

Example:Incorporate fun, educational activities into the daily schedule. For instance, visit a science museum, encourage reading a short story together, or play math-based games like counting the total cost of groceries.


Rationale:Stimulating their interest in learning bridges the gap between holiday relaxation and structured school lessons, making the transition smoother.


Challenges:Children may see these activities as an extension of schoolwork and resist participation. Overcome this by framing activities as games or rewards, such as earning points for completing tasks.


3. Discuss Their Expectations and Feelings

Example:Have a family chat over dinner and ask, “What are you looking forward to about school?” and “What are you worried about?”


Rationale:Talking helps children process their emotions and build a positive outlook. It also provides an opportunity for parents to address specific fears, such as making new friends or handling a challenging subject.


Challenges:Some children may not readily open up about their worries. Parents can model the conversation by sharing their own school experiences or using storytelling to ease tension.


4. Practice School-Day Scenarios

Example:Role-play common school situations, such as packing a bag, answering questions in class, or introducing themselves to a new teacher or friend.


Rationale:Role-playing builds confidence and familiarity, reducing the anxiety of the unknown and helping children feel prepared for the first day.


Challenges:Parents might feel pressed for time or think role-playing isn’t necessary. However, even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference. Use simple props like backpacks or lunchboxes to make it engaging.


5. Create a Positive Countdown

Example:Use a calendar to mark the days until school starts, and celebrate with a small reward or special activity (e.g., a favorite meal) on the final day.


Rationale:A countdown creates excitement and provides a structured way for children to prepare mentally. It also reduces the element of surprise that can cause anxiety.


Challenges:Children may feel reluctant or even dread the countdown. In such cases, parents can focus on the fun elements of school, such as seeing friends or trying new activities, to shift the narrative.


6. Encourage Social Connections

Example:Arrange playdates with classmates or friends they’ll see at school. If possible, visit the school together to familiarize them with the environment again.


Rationale:Rebuilding social connections helps children feel more secure and eager to return. It also helps them practice social skills that may have waned during the holiday.


Challenges:Coordinating schedules with other parents or overcoming a child’s reluctance to socialize can be tricky. Start small by arranging brief meetups or encouraging phone calls with friends.


Preparing children mentally for school after a long holiday doesn’t happen overnight. It requires patience, planning, and a lot of empathy. By implementing these six strategies, you can help ease the transition, making it a positive experience for both you and your child.

Remember, the goal is to set a tone of excitement and readiness, helping children view the school year as a fresh opportunity for growth and discovery.


Prepared By:

Registered Child Psychologist

Ms Azureen.

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