Norfolk parents urged to talk through 'back to school' worries with children
Classroom time has been severely disrupted for many over the last few years
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022
As pupils across Norfolk get ready to go to School next week- a local psychologist is urging parents to talk to their children about their potential fears and concerns.
It comes as time in the classroom has been severely disrupted over the last few years- by the pandemic, with many yet to get the full experience.
"Be gentle with yourself, it's normal for this to feel a bit weird"
Ruth Noble is a therapist that works in Diss.
She says it can be a shock to system for everyone, in normal times:
"It's almost always at least a new class teacher, if not an entirely new school. September is always a time to start new things after being in the comfort of our home for so long. Be gentle with yourself, it's normal for this to feel a bit weird- so take some time to stop and think about what is coming".
"Having a conversation about all this can help"
Ms Noble also told us that lending an ear can go a long way:
"Just remember to be kind to one another and to listen to your child. If they say, 'I don't want to go to school', it doesn't mean that they are not going to go to school- but, it does mean that there's some questions for you to ask, why don't they want to go to school? How are they feeling? Having a conversation about all this can help.
Let them pick out a new lunch box or talk to them about what might be on the menu, if they are going to have school meals. Ask them who their friends are, who they are looking forward to seeing. It might be worth organising a quick meet up before you go back to school so that the children remember who they like being with, and can feel reassured that these people are still their friends".