The ultimate back to school guide

The summer holidays are drawing to a close, and for children across Buckshaw Village and Chorley that means swapping long days of play for the routine of the classroom. For many little ones, and their parents, that shift can feel like a big one. The good news is that a bit of preparation goes a long way. Here is our ultimate guide to getting your family ready for the new school year.

Back to school shopping

Doing your school shopping a few weeks ahead of time helps ease children into the transition and builds a bit of excitement about the term to come. It also saves you from a last minute scramble. To keep things stress free, work your way through a simple checklist so nothing gets forgotten.

• 4 shirts
• 2 jumpers or cardigans
• 2 pairs of trousers, skirts or pinafores
• 5 pairs of socks or tights
• 1 pair of school shoes
• 1 waterproof coat
• 1 pair of PE shorts
• 1 PE top
• 1 pair of PE pumps
• 1 lunch bag
• 1 water bottle
• 1 pencil case
• 5 pens or pencils
• 1 rubber
• 1 ruler
• 1 calculator

Talk it out

Children need to feel comfortable talking about their feelings and any concerns they have about going back. If your child finds it hard to open up, try the walk and talk technique, as chatting side by side while out for a stroll can feel far less pressured than a face to face conversation. Practise active listening by not interrupting or dismissing their worries. Instead, work together on solutions. If they are anxious about friendships, remind them of the friends they already have and point out that plenty of other children feel exactly the same way. You could also ask the school about support such as a buddy system. Talking things through teaches your child healthy ways to cope with anxiety that will serve them well for years to come.

Speak about school in a positive way

Once you have listened to any worries, help build a sense of excitement. Ask which friends they are looking forward to seeing and which activities they enjoy most. Highlight the new opportunities that come with their year, whether that is swimming in PE, playing in a bigger yard or taking on a lead role in a school performance. Framing school as something to look forward to makes a real difference.

Set goals

For older children, setting goals can be a lovely way to focus their energy. Goals can be academic or just for fun, from improving at a subject to finally mastering a cartwheel. Treat every goal with respect, write them down and display them somewhere visible, then work together on a plan to achieve them.

Plan fun activities

The school day usually runs from around 9am to 3pm, which still leaves plenty of time for enjoyment. Plan some after school activities to look forward to, whether that is football, arts and crafts or a bit of time on the computer. Pop the schedule up on the wall so your child can look forward to what is coming.

Sort out their sleep routine

Late summer nights are wonderful, but they do not mix well with early school mornings. Start adjusting sleep patterns around two weeks before the holidays end. Move bedtime earlier by about fifteen minutes each night until you reach the normal school schedule, and drop any daytime naps. A well rested child copes far better with those first busy days.

First day jitters

A few nerves on the first day are completely normal, especially for children moving up from primary to high school or starting somewhere new. If your child feels overwhelmed, try the five, four, three, two, one grounding technique. Ask them to name five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell and one thing they can taste. This gently redirects their focus from what might happen to the here and now. Follow it up with a little reassurance: school is only about six hours, a teacher will be there to look after them, and you will be waiting at pick up.

A calm start to the new term

Preparing early takes the pressure out of the return to school and helps the whole family feel ready. With a bit of planning around shopping, sleep and conversation, that first morning can be a happy one. If your child needs wraparound care before and after school, our out of school club here at The Hub is a safe and friendly place to be. You can also find out more about our Ofsted Outstanding nursery and our Splash swimming lessons, both loved by families across Buckshaw Village, Chorley and Leyland.