Psychologists and medical experts stress the importance of focusing on children’s emotional well-being and routines rather than grades when returning to school after a break, highlighting practical strategies to reduce anxiety and support mental health.
Parents should pay less attention to marks and more to mood when a child returns to class after a break, clinical psychologist Mikhail Sukhoguzov told KP.RU. He said repeated questions about homework and grades can add to a child’s tension, while a calmer focus on how the day went, what felt enjoyable and how the child is coping emotionally is more likely to make school feel manageable again.
Experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine say the adjustment can start before the first bell by easing children back into routine rather than waiting until the last minute. Their advice includes moving bedtimes and wake-up times gradually, talking through worries in advance, marking key dates on a calendar and arranging time with familiar friends to make the shift back to school feel less abrupt. The aim is to reduce the sense that school has arrived suddenly and give children time to settle mentally as well as physically.
Sukhoguzov also recommends a pause after school before starting homework. For teenagers, about an hour may be enough, he said, while younger children who are especially anxious may need two or three hours to decompress. He cautioned against filling that break with gadgets, and instead suggested using it for rest, conversation or another quiet activity. Johns Hopkins Medicine similarly advises parents not to leave school preparation until the final moment, and to keep communication open so children feel able to talk about both excitement and nerves.
Rather than criticising poor results, parents are better served by calmly reviewing mistakes and noticing progress, according to Sukhoguzov. He warned that ongoing sleep problems, exhaustion, trouble concentrating, sudden anxiety or irritability, withdrawal from other people and physical signs of stress should not be ignored. If those symptoms persist, he said, parents should speak with the class teacher or school psychologist. Johns Hopkins Medicine makes a similar point, saying professional help may be needed if anxiety does not ease after the first few weeks back at school.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
