Take the stress out of school

The first year, and especially the first term can be an upending experience for many children. ‘Kids are navigating new teachers, classmates, unfamiliar routines and sometimes separation anxiety,’ says Rececca. ‘Parents are juggling logistics, tired children and their own work pressures. But it does get easier, especially if we put a few supports in place.

‘School is really a training ground for adult life. It’s not just about academics, but also about learning to handle colleagues and bosses who can be tricky, annoying, or downright difficult. Here are some ways to negotiate the pitfalls.’

When your child doesn’t like their teacher

We’ve had everything in our house. One year, my daughter came home convinced she couldn’t understand a word her teacher said. The teacher had lived here for years, but her accent was strong, and the first few weeks were tough. I asked other parents whose children had already had her, and they all said: ‘Wait a few weeks, the kids tune in and suddenly she’s their favourite teacher.’ And they were right.

The lesson? With patience comes understanding. What feels impossible today often makes sense tomorrow. Keep listening, keep encouraging, and remember that things nearly always settle.

Facing academic pressures

There’s a lot of pressure on children to achieve and sometimes it tips into stress. My middle daughter would often go into meltdown because she piled so much pressure on herself. What worked for us was breaking tasks into chunks. Instead of staring up at the summit of Mount Everest, we focused on base camp: ask questions, make a list, tick off the first step. Even saying it all aloud calms things down.

And never underestimate the power of a simple mantra. On the way to school ask children to repeat:

• I am kind

• I am resilient

• I am great at problem-solving

• I am beautiful inside and out

• I am amazing

It sounds simple, but it makes a real difference to children and adults.

Fostering maths confidence

Here’s what I wish every parent could hear loud and clear: teachers cannot give individual attention to 30 children in every subject. But as parents, there are two things we must do at home: support reading and ensure foundation maths is solid.

Childhood maths anxiety often causes more long-term damage than struggling with reading. Years of research suggest that strong maths skills actually boost other subjects. Maths releases a brain chemical linked to reasoning and problem-solving, which then helps with reading and comprehension.

If your child is struggling with numbers, address the issue early. Fables World makes maths fun by teaching with characters rather than abstract numbers. They offer a single free private online tutoring session without needing to sign up and it dramatically improves children’s confidence and attitude. Considering 42 per cent of pupils failed GCSE maths last year, this is a crucial issue.

Making reading fun (and funny)

Reading still matters, of course! If reading is difficult for your child, ask the teacher if, for one month only, they can read a comic instead of a schoolbook. For older children, audiobooks work brilliantly if reading speed slows them down.

For us, it was The Beano (funny for over 80 years) that worked wonders. All three of my children are severely dyslexic, and the comics were a lifesaver. They’re funny, engaging, and the pictures help decode meaning. Some words they use may be tricky at first, but the pictures explain the situation. With repeated reading, children start piecing the words together. Comics also tend to get read again and again. Make sure kids read every night – consistency is key and the odd night isn't enough.

Once children outgrow comics, books like Tom Gates or graphic novels continue the magic, with brilliantly illustrated stories that make reading feel effortless.

Coping with friendships and the playground

Making new friends or coping in a group of 30+ can feel overwhelming. Give children small specific goals: saying hello to one person at playtime, or asking another child ‘what's your favourite game?’ Teach them to give a compliment, ask questions and avoid talking only about themselves. Conversation is a skill to learn, even for lots of adults! And remember: children don’t need dozens of friends. Sometimes one solid friend is enough to feel secure.

Coping strategies for parents

Parents need coping strategies too. Mine include:

• A few minutes of meditation (10-second breathing resets are lifesavers).

• Watching or reading something funny (laughter really is medicine).

• Humming: you cannot feel depressed while humming. It also triggers the production of endorphins and other brain chemicals that improve mood, a simple, science-backed trick! Give it a try.

First-term blues are real. But if we focus on the basics, supporting maths, making reading fun, breaking tasks into chunks and building confidence, we can make the experience less stressful and more positive for everyone.

Visit https://fables.world/