CONNECTOR.AE 30 CONNECTOR.AE 31 KIDS AND EDUCATION KIDS AND EDUCATION bring bedtime earlier and encourage children to wake up at school time. This reduces fatigue and makes mornings easier once school resumes”. This sentiment is echoed by Sarah Brannon, Head of Prep School at Brighton College Dubai, who recommends focusing on three areas in the week before school begins: organisation, routine, and connection. To begin with, make sure school essentials, uniforms, lunch boxes, stationery and tech, are sorted early. “Create a dedicated ‘outthe-door’ space at home with hooks or baskets for shoes and bags. Planning meals for the first week and syncing the family calendar, through apps like Cozi, can also reduce daily stress”, adds Sarah Brannon from Brighton College Dubai. A representative at Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD), adds that a gradual approach is best, and says, “Spend time practising the morning routine with your child, including waking up on time, brushing teeth, getting dressed, and enjoying a healthy breakfast. Establishing this rhythm in advance helps create a structure and significantly reduces pressure during the first week back”. The summer holidays can also mean long hours of screen time and unstructured play. Experts recommend slowly reintroducing light structure to help children mentally shift gears and note that reducing tech time slowly, and not abruptly, is key. Practical Prep: Checklists, Supplies, And Simple Goals One way to ease the mental load on both children and parents is to co-create checklists together. The representative from SISD suggests including practical steps like trying on uniforms, checking supplies, labelling personal items, and reading school communications together. Experts agree that this collaborative approach not only builds independence but also helps children feel more in control and prepared. Anishkaa Malpani fromDhruv Global School adds, “Let children be part of the preparation process, including buying new supplies, organising the study table, or setting simple goals for the term ahead. Ownership builds excitement”. ‘‘Gradually bring bedtime earlier and encourage children to wake up at school time.’’ ‘‘Spend time practising the morning routine with your child, including waking up on time, brushing teeth, getting dressed, and enjoying a healthy breakfast.’’ Settling Into A New Environment Dubai is home to thousands of families who relocate from other parts of the world. For children, this transition can feel overwhelming, with a sudden exposure to new languages, new cultures, and unfamiliar environments. “Moving to a new country like the UAE is an exciting leap, but for children, it can also be a whirlwind of change. Begin by creating a sense of familiarity and predictability. If possible, visit the school before the first day. Walk around the campus, locate classrooms, the cafeteria, and playground”, says Anishkaa Malpani from Dhruv Global School. For younger children, Sarah Brannon from Brighton College Dubai recommends using visual schedules or digital tools like Choiceworks to help them visualise their new routines and anticipate what each day holds. While checklists are useful, emotional preparation is just as critical. “Talk openly about the return to school. Ask what they’re excited about, and what’s making them nervous. Don’t try to ‘fix’ feelings, just listen, validate, and reassure”, says Anishkaa Malpani from Dhruv Global School. SISD’s representative echoes the importance of conversation, and says, “Open, calm, and consistent communication is key. Acknowledge their feelings, and reassure them that nerves are normal. With the right tools and routines, it can be a calm, confident, and well-prepared experience”. ‘‘Begin by creating a sense of familiarity and predictability.’’ “Open, calm, and consistent communication is key. Acknowledge their feelings, and reassure them that nerves are normal.
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