A child’s school years are some of the most important in their lives. It’s a time for growth, positive change and a whole lot of development. Throughout this time, it is important to ensure your child’s wellbeing, as it is crucial for their overall happiness, development, and academic success. Whilst school tends to deal with the academic side of things, it falls on you as a parent to ensure their mental and physical wellbeing is also taken care of. Continue reading for some tips on how to support your child’s wellbeing in school, inspired by the teachings of this boy’s prep school in Surrey.
Open Communication
One of the most important things you can do for your little one’s wellbeing is keeping communication open within your household. To do this, you can encourage your child to talk about their day, their feelings or any challenges they may be facing in school. When children feel heard, they are more likely to share their concerns and worries with you on their own terms as well. Be sure to ask specific questions such as, “What was the best part of your day”, “Was there anything that made you feel uncomfortable today?”. This makes them feel supported and understood, whilst encouraging them to open up about their feelings. Don’t forget to practice active listening alongside. In order for your child to really feel heard, you need to ensure you are listening to what they have to say, instead of jumping to conclusions or offering solutions straight away. Sometimes, just being heard can do wonders.
Encourage a Positive School-Life Balance
Whilst academic success is important, it is also important to ensure your child doesn’t feel overwhelmed by the school work and expectations set by schools. Encourage them to take regular breaks when completing studies at home and open spaces for them to complete activities they enjoy, such as sports or arts. This time is beneficial to their studies as it allows them time to reduce stress and recharge their batteries. Ensure that during exam periods, they manage their workload well and get a healthy amount of sleep each night. When children have a healthy balance between school and their personal life, it increases the chances of them succeeding both academically and emotionally.
Promote Emotional Resilience
Developing emotional resilience is a great way to help little ones handle the ups and down of school life more easily. Teach your child that making mistakes are normal and to experience challenges head on, instead of avoiding or being afraid of them. Alongside, help them manage stress, anxiety and disappointment in healthy ways, as this will help them adapt to different situations with confidence.
Work with Teachers
Make effort to create a positive relationship with your child’s teachers as this can significantly benefit your child’s wellbeing. Attend parent’s evenings and stay informed on your child’s wellbeing during school hours. If anything does crop up, reach out to their teacher or school counsellor for support. Teacher’s can offer valuable insights into your child’s experiences at school, so it is definitely worth working together on this.
Supporting your child’s wellbeing in school means helping them feel happy and confident during their school years. By keeping communication open, encouraging a positive school-life balance, promoting emotional resilience and working with teachers, you can help your child thrive both in and out of the classroom. Best of luck!