Helping Your Child Transition Back to School: The Glitter Jar Analogy

As the summer holidays draw to a close, many children (and parents!) feel a mix of excitement and anxiety about returning to school. One helpful way to understand this transition is through the 'glitter jar' analogy. 

Imagine a jar filled with water and glitter. When calm, the glitter settles, leaving clear water - much like a relaxed mind. But shake it up, and the glitter swirls chaotically - just like our thoughts when we're stressed or overwhelmed. You can find out more about in the 'Introducing Glitter Jars' blog.

The back-to-school period is full of changes that can 'shake up' our children's emotions:

• New teachers and classrooms
• Different friendship dynamics
• Increased expectations and workload
• Adjusting to structured routines again

It's completely normal for children to feel unsettled during this time. As parents, we can help by:

• Acknowledging their feelings
• Maintaining consistent routines at home
• Ensuring basic needs are met (sleep, nutrition, downtime)
• Practicing calming techniques together, like hot chocolate breathing

Remember, it takes time for the 'glitter' to settle.

Be patient with your child - and yourself this term - as you navigate this transition together. With support and understanding, your child will soon feel grounded in their new school year.

Like this? Why don't you come and find lots of resources and support in the Learnful Family. We meet once a month online to share practices, tips and a have a chat about parent self-regulation.

I'd love to see you there,

Jo :-)