Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Navigating the New Primary School Season: A Parent's Survival Guide
After six weeks of summer, the thought of packing lunchboxes and sending your little ones off to the classroom can sound stressful. If you’re having first-day nerves (they’re not just for children!) taking some steps to prepare is the best way to keep calm. Check out our guide to navigating the new school season and make sure you and your children are ready for the year ahead.
Brush Up On Key Skills
Six weeks is a long time for a child! Unless they’ve been tutored throughout the holidays and set reading goals, they’re likely to be out of practice when it comes to learning. Avoid issues and help them settle in easily by brushing up on key skills a couple of weeks before they go back.
This will vary depending on how old they are. For 5-6 year olds it could be as simple as brushing up on the alphabet and doing small activities that require them to sit still and focus. For those in their last year, activity books that prepare them for upcoming SATS are a great way to get back into the learning mindset.
If you’ve had a tech-free summer, start reintroducing your kids to computers and tablets before they go back to school. With readily-available technology grants for schools and a rise in digital learning, it’s important your child can keep up with technological skills.
Get into a Bedtime Routine
Bedtimes are all over the place during the summer. Make the back-to-school transition easier by getting into a routine before you go back. This is for you as well as your children, making those early school runs a whole lot easier.
Some parents stick to their bedtime and wake-up routine for most of the holidays. If that’s not for you, implement it at least a week before you go back so that your family can gradually get used to the change.
Add incentives for early morning wake-ups, like a swim session or cooked breakfast. Reward good bedtime behaviour with treats and help your whole family get back into the swing of things.
Prepare For Separation Anxiety
Heading back to school after the summer can cause separation anxiety for your child. Tackle it head-on with these tips:
- Listen to their worries and create plans to support them
- Trial run the morning routine and commute
- Ensure their teacher is aware of their anxiety
- Arrange a hand-off with a classroom buddy or teacher
It’s vital you’re confident, too. When a child is crying because you’re leaving, give them a hug, let them know you’ll be back to pick them up, and then let the teacher take over. It’s important you don’t show signs of stress or concern which would make your child’s fears worse.
Top Lunchbox Prep Hacks
Any parent or guardian will know that making lunch for your children takes time - and a lot of it. If you want to create healthy, filling meals for your child but would rather skip an hour's prep each night, here are some lunchbox hacks you’ll love.
Set Your Weekly Menu
Write up a weekly menu of what’s going to be in the lunch boxes. When it comes to getting the lunchbox ready, simply check what’s on the menu for that day and pack. There’s no more scrambling around looking for what to put in and you’ll be far better prepared to make food in advance, leading to smoother mornings and less stress.
Create a Lunch Cupboard
Keep all the snacks for school lunches in one cupboard. When packing, that’ll make it much easier to find what you need. In the fridge, keep a specific section for lunches, too, and ensure everything you need is within quick reach.
Pesto Pasta is Your BFF
Pesto pasta is a great lunchbox staple that can be prepped on Sunday and last for at least a few days into the week. Add fresh vegetables, like tomatoes, pepper, sweetcorn, and cucumber for a nutritious, easy main meal. Prepare in bulk and keep in separate tubs in the fridge ready to go for each day.
Pre-Made Yoghurt Parfaits
Pre-make yoghurt parfaits by adding Greek yoghurt to a glass jar with a lid. Top with a drizzle of honey, plenty of granola, and a handful of frozen berries. Keep it in the fridge ready for lunchboxes with an ice pack.
Create a Homework and Reminders Board
Staying organised throughout the school year can feel like an impossible task, but a noticeboard will make it a lot easier. Every day your child gets home, go through their school bag for any letters or homework sheets. Pin them to the noticeboard so that you don’t forget about them.
It’s smart to pair your noticeboard with reminders on your phone, too. For example, if you put up a letter about paying for a school trip, create a reminder at the same time to nudge you a couple of days before the payment’s due.
Colour Code Your Calendar
Colour coding your family calendar is a game changer when the school year starts. If you have more than one child to keep track of, assign each their own colour. You can quickly see what each child is doing on certain days and avoid any confusion.
For people with one child, colour code their activities instead. Football practice, for example, is in red while seeing friends is in blue. Once you’ve gotten used to the colours, a quick glance at the calendar will be all you need to know what they’re doing.
Final Words
Navigating the new primary school year can feel pretty daunting after the school holidays, but don’t worry! You’ll soon get back into the swing of things and this article should go a long way to making the new school season easier. Just remember that preparation is always key.