We all want to help our children and young people make as smooth a transition as possible back into school and to feel safe and happy there. We are delighted to help launch the Edinburgh Back to School campaign with our partners across the city. We will be sharing some tips and resources which have been developed for families over the next couple of weeks.
The full booklet can be found by clicking here.
Back To School Tip #10
Have a Goal – A new journey starts with a step…
We have loved being part of your journey back to school. Today we are posting the last of our ten tips. We hope you will still be able to benefit from them over the coming term. Developing resilience can help us cope with the ups and downs which may arise.
Your child: Talk to your child about what they would like to learn or get better at by the end of this term, such as a sport’s skill, a new hobby, being able to cook something, dress themselves, etc.
You: Think about something positive you can start to do, or you keep doing when your child returns to school. E.g. start a new class, exercise, meet a friend, complete a home improvement project.
Back To School Tip #9
Respect Yourself – Be proud of your child and yourself
We are sure the past few weeks have been a very busy and perhaps stressful time for families. We hope the Back to School tips are giving you some ideas to support wellbeing. We’d love to hear the things that help to boost your wellbeing.
Your child: Help your child make a list of the things they have learnt and enjoyed over the last few months. E.g. learned to hula hoop, baking, mountain biking. Share and celebrate these with family and friends.
You: Think about and share all the ways you and the family have adjusted to the challenges over the last few months and acknowledge together, the strengths you’ve shown. There may have been ups and downs but remind yourself of the things you managed to do. Such as using video calls, cooking family meals, supporting your child with their learning or exploring your neighbourhood.
Together: You may wish to put together a scrap book or time capsule to help remember this extraordinary time. It could include photographs of the things you did at home, news articles, letters, interviews from different family members, etc.
Back To School Tip #8
Get Active – Keep going, or get started
For those of you returning to school today, we hope you have a great day! We are going to be posting some more Back to School tips each day for the rest of the week. We’d love to hear which tip has been your favourite.
It’s proven that physical activity boosts our sense of well-being.
Your Child: If your child started to be more active during lockdown, think about how this can be continued. If not, what small steps could you encourage. Be curious about what may interest them and plan how they could try something new.
You: A lot of us were more active individually as well as together as a family – playing games, going for cycle rides and walks together. We will have noticed the benefit; plan how you can keep these activities going.
Together: As lockdown eases we can benefit from more exercise outdoors and reduce some of family screen time and online activity.
Remember little rewards to yourself and family can help establish a good habit!
Back To School Tip #7
Make a Difference – Small things can make a difference
We hope you and your child are feeling ready to return to school tomorrow or very soon. Some of our Back to School tips may give you some ideas and help you all focus on the positives.
Your Child: Discuss with your child what they did to make a difference to someone in your community or your environment over the past few months. Like displaying a rainbow, shopping for a grandparent or cutting the grass for a neighbour.
Acknowledge the small things – for example notice your child when they help a sibling, put litter in the bin, help around the home.
You: Talk about who or what made a difference to you or your family during lockdown.
This could be something that seems small, like someone calling when you needed cheering up. Consider how you made a difference and what else you’d like to do.
Together: By each of us washing our hands, wearing a mask and keeping a distance we help protect others.
Back To School Tip #6
Take a Moment – We all need some time out
We all want to help our children and young people make as smooth a transition as possible back into school and to feel safe and happy there. All week we will be sharing some more tips which will hopefully give some helpful ideas.
Your Child: Reflect on what you have noticed helps or may help your child to cope with new or difficult situations or emotions such as listening to music, jumping on the trampoline, etc. It might be helpful to practice new coping strategies together and plan for how these can be used when things are tricky.
You: Being a parent can be really tough, doing things to look after our own wellbeing helps to manage stress, boost our confidence and makes us more able to cope with the ups and downs. Try to prioritise doing something that improves your wellbeing – it might help to set aside some time each day. You could- chat with a friend, go for a walk, read a book, go fishing, etc.
Together: If appropriate share with your child a way you have managed a difficult situation.
Back To School Tip #5
Challenge Your Mindset – Remember we can cope- we just did
We are delighted to share Tip number 5 which suggests some ideas for the children starting back to school next week. We would love to hear what things you are doing to make the transition a little smoother.
Your Child: It can be unsettling not knowing what may happen. Help your child focus on all the things they do know, such as how to get to school, what they will wear, seeing a friend. Introduce new information gradually as it becomes available.
Everyone is a unique individual, discuss with your child the little things that they can do or have already achieved. Remind them of these skills and successes when embarking on a new challenge.
You: It is normal that many children and parents will be feeling anxious, try to focus on how you will manage rather than what might go wrong. Show confidence, even if you are feeling a bit wobbly, it helps that your child sees that you have a plan to carry out together.
Back To School Tip #4
Look on the Bright Side – Find positive moments, however small, each day
Building resilience can help us to develop the skills we need to cope with challenging times. Each day we are sharing tips for families which offer suggestions which may help with the return to school.
Our brains are wired to notice threats, sometimes that stops us seeing the good stuff. That can mean we have to really try to be positive.
Your child: Help your child identify the positive things about lockdown easing or returning to school. Who might they be looking forward to seeing or what might they be looking forward to doing?
You: Consider the positives for you of lockdown easing and children returning to school.
Together: It can be helpful to make time each day to think of one or two positive things. It may be nice to write these down in diary or post them in a jar, share them with your child and listen to their ideas. You could have a phrase like “Today I loved…. playing football with you”
Back To School Tip #3
Talk Things Over- It’s good to talk…and listen
For some the return to school may be a busy and exciting time, for others it may cause some anxiety and worry. We have developed these Back to School Tips to support families with some ideas to help support wellbeing.
Your child: Notice when is a good time and make space for your child to talk about things. This may be walking the dog, in the car or at bedtime. Create opportunities for your child to build a relationship with another family member, trusted adult or professional.
Be available to actively listen to what your child is thinking or how they are feeling. Name what you think they are feeling, let them know you understand and try not to jump in too soon with a solution. For example. “It sounds like you’re worried about having no one to play with, I can see why that’s upsetting you.”
After the school day, your child may need time to wind down before telling you about their day. You could try sharing something about your day first.
You: Think about who you can talk to about any concerns or worries you have, such as a friend, family member or maybe a professional.
Back To School Tip #2
Be Kind to Others- Everyone needs Kindness
We are sure many families will be starting to make plans to help with the return to school. We hope you find these Back to School Tips useful.
Your Child: Encourage your child to think of ways they can be kind to others and pay attention and praise your child when you notice them doing this. “It was kind of you to… share with your friend/ include them in your group at break”
Children learn by watching others- show or tell your child ways you have been kind to others. For example, “I had a chat with our neighbour, she looked a bit sad.”
You: Notice other parents on their own in and around the school, you never know who may welcome a friendly greeting or chat.
Above all, be kind to yourself. We’ve all been through exceptional circumstances.
Back To School Tip #1
Keep Connected – Relationships matter
Your Child: Support your child to contact a friend from school, chat online or spend some time together before the start of term. For children who may find this difficult, help plan an activity or discuss ideas of what they could talk about.
Think of ways your child can feel connected to you when they return to school, E.g. give them a picture, a written message or a familiar object that they can take with them in their pocket or bag. Schools will give advice on what your child can bring with them initially.
You: Arrange to meet or call a friend or another parent, have a chat and share your plans for returning to school. Suggest walking to school together or arrange to meet up after school starts.
Together: Share anything important that has happened during lockdown with school at the start of term- let them know about any family changes, positive achievements or challenges experienced. Your child may want to draw a picture or take a photo of something positive they have done to share with a staff member or their friends.
For more information about going Back to School and supporting your own and your child’s wellbeing visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/backtoschool
As part of our curriculum we use a programme called Building Resilience. This programme has 12 units and each unit covers a different ‘resilience tool’.
Everyone in the school covers the same unit at the same time and we’ll be uploading an information leaflet below for each of the units as we cover them: