Oxfordian Life
Back to School! And Now, What Comes Next?
During the first month back at school, families are still adjusting routines and adapting to the changes a new school year brings. For this reason The Oxfordian School’s psychology department devoted the first Family Connection session of the cycle to advice on what to expect and how to get through the opening weeks of the school year.
Ms. Banda and Mr. Acevedo, psychologists at Vista Hermosa Campus and Petrolera Campus respectively, spoke about each stage of settling back into school, beginning with the two weeks beforehand.
They recalled the importance of getting up in good time, so that the student arrives in a state of alertness that lets them enjoy the day from its first hours.
Beforehand, it is important to talk with the child about the daily routine, explaining step by step the activities they will carry out: we will get up, we will brush our teeth, we will put on our uniform, we will do our hair, and so on. The aim is to prevent the uncertainty and frustration of not knowing what comes next, and so to minimise tantrums.
On hygiene, they made clear that habits should be reminded and reinforced until the child acquires the habit of doing it properly on their own. The age at which they reach this milestone is relative: it depends on each child’s pace of development and on the learning process their parents provided at preschool age, but it is expected to have been achieved by upper primary. Even in adolescence, however, it is important to reinforce hygiene habits and responsibilities.
As a recommendation, a light breakfast is preferable so that children can concentrate without being overloaded with energy, and can replenish it at lunch.
Anticipation is our best friend
They repeated that, especially if it is a child’s first experience of school, it is necessary to explain that they will be going to a school and everything that entails: that they will have a teacher to teach them new things, that they will spend a few hours with other children, and that afterwards someone will come to collect them.
Likewise, when children change level or school, it is advisable to talk with them to give them confidence and make the transition easier.
They noted in advance that emotions can show up as physical discomfort, such as headaches or stomach aches.
The journey to school
During the transition between leaving home and arriving at school, they emphasised the importance of the student being alert, which is achieved by talking with them about the day, about the traffic or other subjects, in order to begin cognitive stimulation. To that end they stressed not arguing on the way and not using electronic devices such as phones or tablets, so that the connection with your children is maintained.
Arriving on time allows children to arrange their things calmly and to be present at a very important moment of connection and belonging with their classmates and teachers: Morning Meeting. They explained that missing this moment, in which children share thoughts and emotions with their classmates, makes each day’s adjustment harder, not least because the day’s agenda is previewed there.
They also recalled how important it is to encourage good manners when greeting the teachers who receive them.
Classroom routines and procedures
The psychologists explained the process of arrival routines, as well as classroom procedures and the importance of developing responsibility, reminding students to look after their belongings.
They pointed out that participation in class is worked on in small groups, and that interaction is encouraged through agreements and rules for requesting a turn to speak.
In addition, when it is time to go home, closing routines are carried out: cleaning and tidying school materials.
After-school routines
They also discussed the benefits of having a structured routine on arriving home: putting their things down, changing clothes, eating, enjoying an extracurricular activity, and so on.
They highlighted the advantage that at The Oxfordian School homework is set only occasionally, since this leaves time to devote to an extracurricular activity that supports the child’s all-round development.
They also emphasised the need to sleep early, since depending on age children should be getting a minimum of eight hours.
Finally, they indicated that one should be aware that things do not always turn out as expected, so we must be willing to adapt to circumstances.
With this advice, the hope is that the start of the school year will be a successful one, and so ensure a whole year of successes.
Family Connection is a completely free programme offered by The Oxfordian School to the whole community. The subjects covered are presented by highly qualified experts in their field, who give families tools for raising their children.
