New Year, New Beginnings: Helping Students Ease Back into School

Remember Moana, the adventurous princess of Motunui who bravely sailed the open seas to follow her spirit of exploration? She taught us never to shy away from the unknown, to stay curious, and to embrace each challenge with courage and determination. As we step into a brand-new year, Moana’s journey reminds us that every new beginning is an opportunity for discovery.

At Lodha Oakwood School, we share Moana's spirit of exploration. We believe that returning to school after a festive season break isn’t just about resuming routines—it’s about continuing a voyage of growth and learning, fueled by the possibilities a new year brings.

And just like Moana, who discovers her full potential with a strong support system back home, we at LOS recognise the pivotal role of parents and teachers in creating transformative learning experiences. So, as students set sail into the new school term and the new year, here’s how you can inspire their curiosity and reignite their passion for knowledge.

For Parents: Champions of Lifelong Learning

Starting school after a few leisure days presents a great opportunity to reestablish strong learning habits and a love for exploration in your child. As a parent, you have been accompanying your child as a learning partner from the beginning, setting sail for a successful year ahead.

As a first step, it's the perfect time for parents to introduce routines that nurture curiosity and learning at home. Having a? “curiosity corner” with age-appropriate science kits, learning maps, astronomy tools, interactive puzzles, or experiment journals can reignite their interest in exploration. These hands-on activities help children ease back into their school routine while continuing to develop resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Additionally, maintaining strong communication and collaboration with your child is key to a successful destressing for the kids and you. Continuing to participate in school events, and attending meet-and-greets or parent-teacher meetings allows you to understand and align at-home learning with the STEAM curriculum, and learning objectives, and get back to the routine (if it was on pause).?

For Teachers: Cultivating the Habit of Reestablishment?

Educators play a crucial role in shaping a growth mindset and building a passion for innovation in your students. The coming back of students will be an opportunity to transform classrooms into spaces where kids can reunite with their subjects and teachers could create launchpads where learning needs polishing.?

Integrating project-based learning, gamified activities, exploring virtual simulations or interdisciplinary challenges that connect different subjects and allows students to understand complex issues and apply the learnings in the real world that they would have lost touch with while being away from school.?

Most importantly, it is crucial to take stock of the strengths and areas of improvement for each student to tailor learning strategies accordingly, enabling customised growth for the student.?

For Students: Destress and Take Charge?

First and foremost, find the excitement of starting something familiar but with a new sense of wonder. Reflecting on your progress and exploring strategies needed to achieve your goals is a good place to start.?

From reuniting with friends and peers and sharing their vacation stories to spending quality time together during activities and group projects that let you tackle real-world problems. ? Embrace this coming back with enthusiasm and confidence to grow, innovate, and make a positive impact, making the most of the opportunities ahead.?