School adaptation after Christmas: how to get back to the routine

There is little left until the end of the Christmas season, the magical Twelfth Night and the return of routine... not only for the adults, but also for the little ones in the house.

After days of family reunions, nerves waiting for Santa Claus or his Wizard King, opening gifts and having new toys, certain changes in schedules - such as staying up late or getting up later - or long meals, children need certain habits. to have a positive school adaptation after the Christmas holidays.

What exactly is school adaptation ? An academic work from the University of La Sabana defines school adaptation as the ability to manage and accept academic demands, participate in school activities and become an independent student, while social adaptation refers to the student's ability to build relationships. positive and meaningful with classmates and teachers (Bart, Hajami, Bar-Haim, 2007).

According to the European Postgraduate Center (CEUPE), there are different factors that influence good or bad school adaptation, such as family support and the social environment - the stronger it is and the more open the communication, the better - as well as the the child's previous experiences and personality traits , since introverted children usually require more time to adapt.

After Christmas, school adaptation is not as intense as in September, since the holidays are much shorter than the summer holidays. However, children may be stressed, irritable, sad or anxious. Many say that they prefer to stay at home, that they do not want to be separated from their families or that they hate getting up early again or facing academic tasks.

Going back to school and new challenges can cause overwhelm, anguish and apathy, so it is important to have some tips on hand to make returning to school easier after Christmas.

9 tips for going back to school after Christmas

The main key is to return to the usual routines: sleeping, eating, homework, bathing or reading. Patience, positive habits and a lot of love will be the key ingredients for a good adaptation:

• Return to the usual sleep routine : at Christmas, schedules are more chaotic and children go to bed later or have their routine altered. It is important that they go back to bed and get up at the same time, guaranteeing sufficient hours of sleep - between 9 and 12 in the case of children between 6 and 12 years old - so that there is a restful rest.
• Healthy foods : Returning to regular meals at regular times is also important. Include fresh foods, seasonal vegetables, plenty of fruit, nuts, fatty fish, whole grains, legumes or eggs to provide children with energy and essential nutrients for back to school, such as omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid , vitamin E, magnesium or calcium, among many others.
• Goodbye to excesses : Christmas sweets, sweets and fatty and heavy foods typical of Christmas should be left behind and reserved for special occasions, such as going to the cinema, the weekend or a birthday.
• Instill excitement about going back to school : it is important to talk to your children about the experiences they had this Christmas and how nice it will be to reunite with their classmates to share memories. They will surely find it exciting to play with their friends again or enjoy the new gifts in their company.
• Positive attitude: children absorb what they see, so if you constantly complain about returning to work, you may infect them with apathy, sadness, pessimism and stress. To face school adaptation you can make a list of appealing plans or all the good things about going to school.
• Feeling of security : in addition to a well-structured routine, anticipation will generate a feeling of security in the child. Remind him and explain his schedules and subjects, the extracurricular activities he will attend or the next family plans. In addition, farewell rituals, such as magical kisses, or being able to take an object of attachment with him, will make the path easier for him.
• Punctuality: take special care to be punctual when taking him to and from school, and dedicate quality time upon his return to activities that he likes . You can take a walk, do crafts, read a story, cook together and much more.
• Relaxed atmosphere at home : rushing, shouting, hustle and bustle can be a source of anxiety for the child. Try to go to school early, spend time eating a rich and balanced breakfast as a family, preparing your backpack and materials with care, or asking them about their activities at school.
• Reminder of fun moments : At the end of the day, share what special moments there were, what new things you learned or what your colleagues told you about their Christmas vacation. This habit helps you give meaning and meaning to your routine. If the child shows sadness, anger or anxiety or has had a problem, it is recommended that you speak personally with his or her teacher.

There are still a few days of vacation left! Enjoy them in the company of your loved ones, happy return to the routine, and if you are missing some gifts from the Three Kings, stop by our website . We have the perfect toy for you!