STARTING ‘BIG SCHOOL’ can be overwhelming for little ones. New routines, new people, and lots of new things to learn.

It’s natural that there’ll be some adjustment during this period, but we’ve teamed up with Rescue Remedy to give advice on how to help your child smoothly transition into this new era.

How to help

Simple ways to help include: 

Checking in

It’s normal for children to feel worried or anxious before starting school. Children’s Health Ireland recommends listening to what your child has to say about how they’re feeling, and validating their feelings. What can also help is sharing with them ways to manage worry – like talking to a trusted adult.

Ease into routines

In the transition from relaxed summer days to first school days, it can be helpful to start establishing routines to ease you all into the new schedule.

Children’s Health Ireland recommends introducing these new routines early, to give your child time to get used to them. You may need to be patient and introduce them slowly, and there might be some teething issues as you all get to grips with them. But a slow transition will be better in the long run than a jarring change. 

Sharing simple information 

When sharing information about your child’s new routine, where possible keep it simple and at their level of understanding, the Department of Health recommends. You might want to use talking, drawing or play activities to help them explore what’s going on, so that they feel a sense of safety around this transition period.

Encourage independence

Starting school is a great chance for children to learn how to be independent around tasks like zipping or buttoning up their coat, eating lunch, and dressing themselves. Ahead of starting school is a good time to encourage independence.

Even if it takes a while for them to put on their shoes or dress themselves, it can help show a child what they’re capable of, and encourage more moments of independence.

Cultivating moments of calm

Some parents might want to reach for a natural and gentle remedy to help during hectic moments. RESCUE® Dropper Kids is convenient to take on-the-go and can support your child during emotionally overwhelming moments. The formula is built on decades of expertise with flower essences and enjoys the trust of parents worldwide. Rescue Kids contains the same combination of flower essences used in the original Rescue Remedy dropper, but is available in a strawberry flavour and also as a pastille or gummy.

Rescue Remedy Rescue Remedy

Ask your local pharmacy about availability of RESCUE® Dropper Kids.