Playful Approaches for Back-to-School
Submitted by Rebecca Smith from Family Ties Association
As much as we’ve enjoyed another beautiful summer, we know all good things come to an end and it is that time to start thinking about the upcoming school year again. Some of you may have already been counting down the days since school finished to get your children back into the classroom, while others may be wishing the relaxing vibes of summer never ends. No matter where your feelings are sitting on the topic, know they are valid and okay to have. Knowing that we have this transition back into school, you may be wondering what you can do to get the kiddos ready for the upcoming year. Well, as you may have guessed it, you can use PLAY as a helper on this topic. Here are 5 ways to get children ready for the start of the school transition in a playful way.
1. Role play going to school. If you have a little one who will be attending school for the first time or even younger kiddos who get nervous about the return to school, engaging in role play and playing out ‘school’ can be a huge helper. Children learn about themselves and the world through play; play helps them make sense of their world, gives them a safe place to test out problem-solving skills, and of course, allows them to express their creative side (Landreth, 2012). You can play school by engaging in pretend play using stuffed animals, dolls, trucks, or even use yourselves; try taking turns acting out the morning routine, getting on the bus, entering the classroom, participating in possible subjects throughout the day and of course, home time! This can help reduce anxiety and help your children feel prepared and even excited about starting school again.
2. Read books about school. Reading can be another great way to introduce and get children ready for school. Reading stories about characters who are experiencing similar things as your child can help normalize the process for them and help them learn new ways to cope (Rozalski, Stewart, & Miller, 2010); it can be a huge confidence booster for children to know they aren’t alone in their feelings and/or situations. You can pause during the readings to check in on your child’s feelings and get them to become curious of how the characters may be feeling. If you are looking for some books related to school, check out these resources: a. https://bookshop.org/lists/school-s-back-in-session b. https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/top-11-books-to-ease-back-to-school-jitters.html
3. Create a playful way to connect during the transition times. Transitions between home-to-school and school-to-home can be a tricky time for both you and your children. It can help to create a fun way to let your child know you will miss them during school and are excited to see them again after school; these playful ways to connect can be a special handshake, silly dance, acting like animals, special hugs, a quick game, or even reading short book.
4. Get those speakers pumping out music. Listening to a favourite or upbeat song can help the body relax, increase moods, decrease impulsivity, and get out those school jitters (Warren, 2016). Try doing a little dance party before your children go off to school or allow them to pick a favourite song to listen to on the way to school; jam out like no one is watching or listening!
5. Write notes for your child’s lunchbox. Writing a quick note can keep that connection alive when your child is at school; it can be a simple way to let them know you are thinking of them and that they are not alone. Need some inspiration, check out https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/feeding/school-lunch/lunch-box-note-ideas-to-put-a-smile-on-your-kids-face/
Like always, take from this blog what fits with your family and leave the rest; playfulness shows up differently for all of us and can be incorporated to the start of school just as your child needs.
Sources and references
Landreth, G. L. (2012). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (3nd ed.). New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Michael Rozalski, Angela Stewart & Jason Miller (2010) Bibliotherapy: Helping Children Cope with Life's Challenges, Kappa Delta Pi Record, 47:1, 33-37, DOI: 10.1080/00228958.2010.10516558
Warren, M. (2016, December 19). The Impact of Music Therapy on Mental Health | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2016/The-Impact-of-Music-Therapy-on-Mental-Health
Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/adorable-blur-bookcase-books-261895/