Getting teens back to school
As schools reopen, parents of secondary school children are preoccupied with getting their teens back to school.
Usually, many focus on provisions, fees, books and uniforms.
While these are important, true school readiness for adolescents goes far beyond logistics.
High school years (whether junior or senior) are a critical developmental stage marked by rapid physical, emotional, social, and cognitive changes.
Preparing children well for this phase can significantly influence their academic success, mental wellbeing, and character development.
The increased academic demand, tighter schedules in preparation for final year exams and attendant higher expectations for independent learning require parents to come alongside their children.
Previous term reports, areas of difficulty and teacher comments during the term should be discussed.
There should be new goals for the new term as parents help children brainstorm ideas to improve, not only their grades but habits such as consistency, sleep and time management.
Though most teens must learn to be responsible by organizing their textbooks, notebooks and other materials before school re-opens, it is always helpful to show interest in their packing.
Students should generally be encouraged to engage early with past questions in order to familiarise themselves with the trend and patterns of their final exams.
During holidays, sleep schedules often become erratic.
Adolescents may stay up late on phones or television and wake up late the next day.
It is important to switch to routine mode before going back to school.
Returning to school without correcting this can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and irritability.
Parents should gradually reintroduce school-day sleep and wake-up times at least a few days before reopening.
Helping students plan how they will balance schoolwork, chores, rest, and leisure encourages discipline and self-control.
These are essential skills for secondary school success.
Teenagers should be prepped up emotionally and mentally too.
They have unique pressures such as academic competition, peer influence, identity formation, and sometimes bullying.
As school reopens, parents should create space for open conversations.
Ask how your child feels about returning to school.
Listen without judgment. Some children may be anxious about academic performance, social relationships, or expectations from teachers and parents.
It is the duty of parents and caregivers to reassure their children about the stress of this age and to teach them healthy coping strategies such as talking to trusted adults, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and asking for help.
This is how emotional resilience is developed.
Parents should also watch for warning signs such as withdrawal, persistent sadness, aggression, or sudden behavioural changes, and seek support early when needed.
Such support can include extreme decisions such as changing the child’s school environment early if the situation is difficult to salvage.
As school resumes, clear and agreed-upon boundaries are essential where smart phones and other screens are part of school life.
Excessive screen time can affect sleep, concentration, and academic performance.
Adolescents are increasingly responsible for their own hygiene, nutrition, and safety.
Parents should be interested in personal hygiene habits such as bathing, dental care, shaving of armpit and pubic hair, and appropriate dressing, particularly in boarding settings.
Discussions about personal safety, boundaries, and spiritual health are also crucial at this stage.
Sex education and reminders of family values are important mentions during these preps.
Healthy eating habits and hydration are vital for learning.
This fact cannot be overemphasized.
School readiness is not about micromanaging every detail of a child’s life. It is about guiding, mentoring, and staying engaged while gradually allowing independence. Adolescents thrive when they feel supported but trusted.
As schools reopen, parents who invest time in preparing their children emotionally, mentally, and socially, not just materially, are actually giving them a strong foundation to succeed.
The Writer is a Child development expert/ Fellow of the Zero-To-Three Academy, USA. E-mail:
