Calm, connected and ready for school
Schools
Trish Jarvis, executive officer of Catholic School Parents SA, gives some practical tips to parents and carers on how to help their children settle in to a new school year.<br />
I always say the first week of school feels a bit like opening the fridge and staring blankly inside – you’re hopeful, a bit nervous, and fairly sure you’ve forgotten something important.
Children add their own layer of excitement and worry, and as families we spend half of January wondering whether we’re meant to reassure them, distract them, motivate them or simply hand them a snack and hope it solves something.
When children are anxious
If your child feels anxious about starting school or moving into a new year level, don’t panic. Their anxiety doesn’t mean something dramatic is happening – it means they’re human. Acknowledge what they’re feeling without inflating it. A calm response like: ‘New things feel big at first, but you’ll find your way’ often works wonders.
Predictability helps children feel secure, so creating a simple visual schedule for the first week can make a big difference. Focus on small, everyday skills that help children feel capable. Practise taking a jumper on and off, opening and closing lunchboxes or managing drink bottles. These simple routines build confidence and reduce stress because your child knows they can handle the basics on their own.
Balancing independence and involvement
Finding the right balance between being a supportive parent and giving your child breathing space is an art. Children thrive when they feel capable and have a sense of autonomy, so choose involvement that encourages independence rather than overwhelms it.
Practical ways to do this include:
- Volunteer for one event per term to stay connected without hovering.
- Praise effort rather than outcome to strengthen resilience.
Children don’t need us to sweep obstacles from their path. They just need to know we’re close by if they wobble.
Partnering with teachers
Teachers deserve medals, long holidays and an unlimited supply of good pens. They’re guiding dozens of little humans with dozens of personalities, needs, worries and lunchbox negotiations. What they need from parents is simple: kindness, communication and partnership.
Remember, you know your child best – their strengths, quirks and how they learn. Passing on that insight helps teachers guide and support them effectively. At the end of the day, you’re both working toward the same goal: helping your child thrive.
Resources
When you need extra guidance, turn to trusted sources:
- cspsa.catholic.edu.au: guide for family-school partnerships
- positivemindsaustralia.com.au: tools to support children’s wellbeing during transitions
- maggiedent.com: parenting strategies based on resilience research
And of course, you can always reach out to us at Catholic School Parents SA. We’re here to listen, help, and point you in the right direction whenever you need a hand.
We are back for the roller coaster of a new year. It’s about being present, supportive and staying connected. Maggie Dent often emphasises: ‘Children are incredibly capable when the adults around them stay calm, connected and consistent.”
That little reminder helps me ease the pressure, take a breath, and trust the process… ideally while packing a lunchbox that might actually get eaten…except for the fruit, which history tells me will come home, get recycled and make a repeat appearance the next day.
