Tips for parents and caregivers – preparing your child to return to school
Page last reviewed: 08 January 2021
This section of our guide on returning to school after the coronavirus lockdown includes practical advice for parents and caregivers relevant for when children and young people go back to face-to-face learning.
Start talking
Your child might have worries about the virus, restrictions in place or their education and school. You can explore these and help them to think of ways to manage them using our Time for Us pack or the resources on the Family Links website.
Sleep routine
Sleep is very important for your child’s mental health and wellbeing, as well as their development. Try and help your child build a healthy sleep routine which they can maintain whether attending school in person or not. Our guide on improving sleep could be a good place to start.
Coping strategies
You use when feeling stressed such as speaking with friends or family, doing regular exercise or using breathing techniques. If you feel comfortable, you could share your own worries and feelings about the current situation and ways you are managing these feelings.
Make yourself available as much as possible
Children may want to come and “debrief” but maybe not when you expect. Create space for talking in different ways, such as going on a walk together or baking together – there may be less pressure in these circumstances than when sitting face-to-face.
Look at the positives
It might be helpful to talk with your child about the things they have enjoyed during the pandemic and what they may be looking forward to, like their favourite shop reopening, seeing friends in the park or getting ice cream from their favourite café.