Почетокот на учебната година

The beginning of the school year is not just a routine change in schedule for the youngest ones — it is an emotional event for every child. Especially for first-graders, but also for older students, the transition from summer freedom to the school rhythm can trigger a range of changes such as somatic complaints, anticipatory anxiety, or behavioral difficulties that were not present in the previous period.

These reactions are not a sign that something is wrong — they are a sign that the child is trying to adapt. As parents, our role is not to correct every negative feeling our child experiences, but to be emotionally present, patient, and open to conversation.

Adaptation is a process — it does not happen overnight!

Most children need 2 to 4 weeks to adjust to new rules, routines, and responsibilities. During this period, we should be fully open to accepting complaints, resistance, and all the difficulties our child may express — this is their way of telling us: “I need time.”

What helps them most is not the pursuit of perfect parenting or a perfect child, but encouraging words and acceptance regardless of success. “This is how we teach children that we love them regardless of their achievements, which significantly reduces their anxiety.”

Sleep, routine, and space for play — the foundation of mental health

During the school year, it is recommended that children have:

Enough sleep (9–11 hours, depending on age)

A morning ritual that does not begin with rushing

Time for free play every day — unstructured, without pressure

(which develops creative introspection)

Play is not just entertainment — it is the way a child regenerates, processes experiences, and builds inner strength.

What if a child shows signs of anxiety or resistance?