Children return to school after six weeks of freedom. They have been going to bed later, waking up later, watching what they wanted and eating whenever they felt like it.It is therefore not surprising that many children seem distracted, irritable or simply slower than usual. This is not laziness or poor parenting. It is a natural physiological response. The brain is readjusting, and it needs support.Here are five practical strategies that can help your child adapt more quickly after the summer holidays.
1. Bring Structure Back into the Day
Summer days are often unpredictable, and that is part of what makes the holidays enjoyable. Before school starts, however, it is helpful to gradually restore a basic daily structure.
Try to have breakfast, lunch, evening activities and bedtime at roughly the same time each day. The routine does not need to be strict. A predictable rhythm is usually enough to help the body and brain prepare for school again.
2. Talk About School in a Positive Way
Children are highly sensitive to their parents’ moods and attitudes. When parents sigh and say, “Here we go, school is starting again soon,” children quickly pick up on that negativity.Instead, focus on specific things your child can look forward to:
“You’ll see Peter again soon.”
“You’re going to start a new nature project.”
“We can sign you up for the activity you enjoyed last year.”
The goal is not to pretend that everything about school is wonderful. It is to help your child see that returning to school also brings familiar people, interesting experiences and new opportunities.
3. Avoid Overloading the First Week
The first week of school is already demanding. Children need to adjust to getting up early, following instructions, concentrating for longer periods and processing a large amount of new information.
Avoid restarting every extracurricular activity immediately. Give your child one or two weeks to settle into the school routine, and then gradually reintroduce additional activities.
4. Read Together
Reading for just 15 minutes a day is an effective way to help the brain return to learning mode.
It does not matter whether you read in English, Dutch, Russian or another home language. For bilingual children, shared reading is also an excellent way to support both languages.
Choose a book your child genuinely wants to read and make it part of your evening routine. You can take turns reading aloud, discuss the story or simply read together before bedtime.
5. Use Additional Classes as a Gentle Transition
Additional classes in a small group, taught in a familiar language and led by a teacher your child trusts, can be a helpful way to prepare the brain for the new school year.
These classes should not feel like an extra burden. Instead, they can serve as a gentle bridge between the freedom of summer and the structure of school.If your child is still struggling to concentrate several weeks after school has started, read our article: “Why Your Child Cannot Concentrate in Class: 6 Possible Causes and What Really Helps.”
In the article, we explain the most common reasons behind concentration difficulties and provide practical solutions for parents.
1. Bring Structure Back into the Day
Summer days are often unpredictable, and that is part of what makes the holidays enjoyable. Before school starts, however, it is helpful to gradually restore a basic daily structure.
Try to have breakfast, lunch, evening activities and bedtime at roughly the same time each day. The routine does not need to be strict. A predictable rhythm is usually enough to help the body and brain prepare for school again.
2. Talk About School in a Positive Way
Children are highly sensitive to their parents’ moods and attitudes. When parents sigh and say, “Here we go, school is starting again soon,” children quickly pick up on that negativity.Instead, focus on specific things your child can look forward to:
“You’ll see Peter again soon.”
“You’re going to start a new nature project.”
“We can sign you up for the activity you enjoyed last year.”
The goal is not to pretend that everything about school is wonderful. It is to help your child see that returning to school also brings familiar people, interesting experiences and new opportunities.
3. Avoid Overloading the First Week
The first week of school is already demanding. Children need to adjust to getting up early, following instructions, concentrating for longer periods and processing a large amount of new information.
Avoid restarting every extracurricular activity immediately. Give your child one or two weeks to settle into the school routine, and then gradually reintroduce additional activities.
4. Read Together
Reading for just 15 minutes a day is an effective way to help the brain return to learning mode.
It does not matter whether you read in English, Dutch, Russian or another home language. For bilingual children, shared reading is also an excellent way to support both languages.
Choose a book your child genuinely wants to read and make it part of your evening routine. You can take turns reading aloud, discuss the story or simply read together before bedtime.
5. Use Additional Classes as a Gentle Transition
Additional classes in a small group, taught in a familiar language and led by a teacher your child trusts, can be a helpful way to prepare the brain for the new school year.
These classes should not feel like an extra burden. Instead, they can serve as a gentle bridge between the freedom of summer and the structure of school.If your child is still struggling to concentrate several weeks after school has started, read our article: “Why Your Child Cannot Concentrate in Class: 6 Possible Causes and What Really Helps.”
In the article, we explain the most common reasons behind concentration difficulties and provide practical solutions for parents.
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