Return to School Support
Please see the below links for activities that can be done over the summer holidays to support children returning to school in September:
Mindfulness calendar – Mentally Healthy Schools Go to resource Practising mindfulness over the summer break will help your child deal with any anxieties or worries when they return to school. This resource is a two-week calendar with a mindfulness activity suggested each day, which parents could use for the last two weeks of summer.
Self-care summer activity pack – Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families Help children create their own self-care plan for the summer holidays with this activity pack
Going back to school – Partnership for Children Parents can work through this table with their children to explore the things they may be worried about when going back to school, and ways to calm those worries.https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Going%20back%20to%20school.pdf
Tips for returning to school video – Nip in the Bud In this short video, clinical psychologist Dr Jess Richardson shares straightforward suggestions for parents and teachers to deal with any potential apprehension or anxiety children may experience on returning to school. There is also an accompanying factsheet.
https://nipinthebud.org/information-films/tips-for-returning-to-school/
Letting go & future plans – Partnership for Children An important part of preparing to go back to school is to reflect on what has happened during coronavirus, as well as looking forward to the future. Parents can complete this simple activity sheet with their child to help them let go of things they may have missed out on during the lockdown.
‘My Back to School Bubble’ e-book – e-Bug and NABU This simple, illustrated e-book is ideal for parents of young children to explore what the return to school might look like, and help them feel more prepared.
https://e-bug.eu/eng_home.aspx?cc=eng&ss=1&t=Information%20about%20the%20Coronavirus
Self-care kit – NHS Practising good self-care is another important way children can get ready for the return to school. This self-care kit has lots of ideas and activities for self-care for children, including mindful colouring, breathing exercises, an emotional check-in, a self-soothe box and more.
Preparing your child for the first day back at school – Trauma Informed Schools Schools may want to share this poster with parents, which features some simple top tips for helping children feel more ready to return to the school environment.
https://www.traumainformedschools.co.uk/images/preparing_your_child_for_the_return_to_school.jpg
Smiling Mind app Technology can be a great tool for encouraging mindfulness in children. This app features lots of mindfulness and meditation activities specifically designed for parents and children to do together. (Please note that because this is an app it has not been QA’d by our clinicians. Adults should always explore apps first before sharing with children, and should always monitor their use of apps.)
https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app