Tips On Beating The Back To School Blues

Monday sees much of Perth's school children back at school, and acclaimed author and youth mental health advocate, Di Wilcox, has shared some handy tips on how to try and beat the back to school stress.

Having spent over 20 years working as a teacher and then family educator, both nationally and internationally, Wilcox says there are a number of simple steps to make the transition as seamless as possible.

She is also the author of The Magic Coat – Creating Calm, Confident and Caring Kids, a recently released book to entertain children while also delivering powerful psychological tools to overcome mental health challenges.

Her top tips for parents to help children prepare for school includes:

• Be prepared with all your child's school books and uniforms
• Confirm before and after school arrangements and communicate these with your child so they feel safe and secure
• Prepare everything needed for school the night before
• Establish a routine for your child to get ready in the morning
• Talk positively about the teachers and the other students in their class

For children entering secondary school, Ms Wilcox also suggests:

• Explain to your child the benefits of having more than one teacher as they will all have different learning styles and personalities
• Ensure your child has a quiet place to study when they come home
• Encourage your child to prepare for school the night before
• If your child is taking public transport allow them to practise the routine before school starts so that they feel comfortable

"Organising a routine takes away a lot of uncertainty for children, allowing them to focus on the important things, like making friends, learning lots and building confidence to tackle life’s problems."

- Di Wilcox

For more info on Di's book, The Magic Coat – Creating Calm, Confident and Caring Kids, click here.

Good luck to all parents and kids for the big day tomorrow.

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Written by: @dantheinternut