• Published by Kunthi Kumalasari Hardi, M.Ed., BCBA from BehaviorPALS Center 

Vacation period is an exciting time, especially for your child. During the holidays, children can do various fun activities, such as going to grandparents' houses, going to the zoo, going to a friend's house, swimming in a water park, watching favorite movies and other things. These fun things make the holidays very enjoyable for the little ones. When it's time for school, if you're not prepared, there's a chance your little one will be upset because it's a sign that the holidays are over. It can also give rise to some behavioral problems such as tantrums, angry shouting, etc., when going to school. To prevent behavior problems when entering school, parents can take the following strategies.

• Tell and remind children of fun and enjoyable things at school

When a child is on vacation filled with fun things, it will be a contrast if he returns to school and his mind is filled with academic matters and this can certainly make the child become reluctant to go to school. Parents can help their little ones remind them of fun things that their little ones can do at school, such as meeting friends, telling happy holidays to friends and teachers, playing in the school yard. Also remind your child of things that your child has done positively in previous schools, for example, when your child was successful in becoming a champion, successfully doing schoolwork, helping friends and teachers, etc. This can certainly increase the child's self-confidence which ultimately makes him more enthusiastic about going to school.

• Prepare something interesting in the first week of school

To help with the transition from the holidays and school, you can prepare a few surprises for your child when he returns to school. For example, going to an ice cream shop on a Wednesday after school, or buying a favorite toy on a Saturday after a week of school is over. Your child will feel that the fun of the Holidays is still felt after school starts and looking forward to the start of school. 

To make your surprise more effective, you can give the surprise when your little one does the target you gave. For example, wake up at 7:00 and finish breakfast, or finish homework. Appreciate and keep your little one's trust by keeping your promise.

• Budget funds for new school equipment

Another thing that makes your little one excited to go to school after the holidays is when they have new things to bring to school. This does not need to buy expensive things, just give cheap things, but your little one likes it, such as pencils, erasers, sharpeners, notebooks, drawing books, colored pencils, rulers, school bags, eating and drinking utensils etc. Buy these items with your little one so they can choose the items they really like the new school kit. You can provide rules regarding the purchase of new school equipment, for example what is the budget, or what new school equipment they can buy now. If you buy school supplies during the holidays, make sure you keep the school supplies so they are new and in good condition when your child brings them on the first day of school.

By: Kunthi Kumalasari Hardi, M.Ed., BCBA

Bibliography:

Harper, Laurie. (2016). Supporting Young Children's Transitions to School: Recommendations for Families. Early Childhood Education Journal. 44. 10.1007/s10643-015-0752-z. 

holiday, back to school

Children 4 Years - 6 Years / 4 Tahun - 6 Tahun / Psychological Development / Tumbuh Kembang Psikologis / Education / Pendidikan / How to Make Going to School Excited After The Holiday!

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