Although some children have returned to school already, for many, the new autumn term will be their first time stepping into a classroom since lockdown began. Understandably, this may be a strange or worrying time for some children, parents and carers, and schools. Mentally Healthy Schools is a primary school website that has produced a new toolkit of resources for schools and families, all focused on making sure the return to classrooms in the autumn is a mentally healthy one. Some of the resources that may prove useful during the summer holiday period are below for parents and carers to use.
Mindfulness calendar
Practising mindfulness over the summer break will help your child deal with any anxieties or worries when they return to school. This Mentally Healthy Schools resource is a two-week calendar with a mindfulness activity suggested each day, which parents could use.
Letting go & future plans
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 produced by Partnership for Children with their child to help them let go of things they may have missed out on during the lockdown.
Letting Go & Future Plans Activity Sheet
Going back to school
Parents can work through this table produced by Partnership for Children with their children to explore the things they may be worried about when going back to school, and ways to calm those worries.
Going Back To School Activity Sheet
Self-care Summer Activity Packs
Practising good self-care is another important way children can get ready for the return to school. These self-care kits produced by Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families and the NHS have 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.
Self-care Kit – Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families
‘My Back to School Bubble’ e-book
This simple, illustrated e-book by e-Bug and NABU is ideal for parents of young children to explore what the return to school might look like, and help them feel more prepared.
My Back To School Bubble e-book
Preparing your child for the first day back at school
This poster features some simple top tips for helping children feel more ready to return to the school environment.
