5 Ways To Support Your (little) Kids After School
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Your child is not the only one having meltdowns after school. Many kids are tired, hungry, and overstimulated in the beginning weeks of school. Despite what you see online, back to school is not all about cute new clothes, first-day photos, and teacher gifts. Back to school is also a long and tricky transition period for kids and families.
The beginning of school takes it out of our kids (and us!) There are so many new rules, new routines, new friends and teachers. Our kids works so hard all day to hold it together, so it makes sense that they need a little more support than usual when they get home to us.
How to support our little ones when they come back home after a long day at school
1. Take It Easy at First
School can be overwhelming, especially in the first few weeks. Keep those after-school activities, errands, and playdates to a minimum. Prioritize rest, unstructured play, and downtime. Lay low and let them acclimate to their new routine.
2. Sensory Play Simplified
Sensory play can be very beneficial to a tired and cranky kid but doesn’t have to be a hassle. Here are some simple ideas:
Bath Time: Let your child take a long bath with their favorite toys. Here are some of our favorite bath toys:
Cozy Time: Cuddle together under the weight of a few blankets and watch a movie or listen to an audiobook or podcast. Here are some top picks (here are some of our favorites)
Shaving Cream Shower: Give your child a paintbrush and a big bowl of shaving cream. Let them paint the inside of your shower and then rinse it all away. You’ll be amazed at how much this will engage your child.
Nature Walk: Play outside or take a walk, following their lead. Don’t ask questions, just listen and follow.
3. Meal Prep
Your child is probably going to be hungry in the hours leading up to bedtime. Keep dinners simple and comforting. Include their favorite comfort foods, and prep ahead. You’ll thank yourself later!
4. Bedtime Snacks and Stories
Allow a bedtime snack with stories (just brush their teeth afterward!). Some ideas: Dry cereal and milk, banana or apple with peanut butter, cheese and crackers, or yogurt.
5. Expect Baby Steps Backward
Expect some babyish behavior and regression in the first few weeks. It is developmentally appropriate to see some regression, so don’t sweat it. Expect it. Your child is working hard all day and may look for some extra coddling at home. You can even get ahead of some of these behaviors by telling your child about the things they loved as a baby. “When you were a baby, you loved me to rock you like this. When you were a baby I would dress you and sing you this song. etc”
Remember, your little is doing some really big things at school! Big transitions need some extra support from the grownups. You got this.
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As a fellow parent and a play expert, I've learned that one of the most valuable gifts we can give our children (and ourselves) is the freedom to play independently. This not only sparks their creativity and decision-making skills but also builds their confidence and trust in their own abilities.