Every year Prep 5 and Prep 6 participate in a residential trip. For many it is the first time they have been away from home and nerves can get the better of them. Here we offer some advice about what parents can do to help.
Positive Conversations
Talk positively to your child. Discuss the things they will enjoy on their school trip. Don’t ignore their concerns but try to minimise their worries. It’s easy to put ideas into their head accidentally. For example, “If you’re scared of the dark, you can use your torch.” might make them think the darkness will be frightening.
If you are worried, discuss your concerns when your child can’t overhear. Find a time to talk to their teacher when they are not with you.
Children want to know they will be missed but don’t want to feel guilty for leaving you. Avoid making dramatic statements about how lost you will be without them but don't suggest you won’t care that they’ve gone.
Watch Your Body Language
Children are quick to pick up on signals. They look to you for clues about how they should feel. If you show them you feel anxious about their school trip, they are likely to start feeling the same way. Don’t bottle up your emotions but avoid showing them in front of your child. Save the tears for when the coach is out of sight.
Put Their Fears in Perspective
It’s common for children to be worried before they leave. Don’t dismiss things that seem trivial, small concerns can build into big ones unless addressed. Take the time to talk to them about any fears they have and acknowledge how they are feeling. Let them share their worries and take them seriously, they might sound trivial to an adult but are massive to a child. As much as possible let them choose when to talk to you and if you don’t know the answer to a question, suggest you find out together.
Children often worry about problems that are unlikely to happen. When they mention a fear, agree there is a possibility this could happen but, ask them to think about how likely it is. Instead of dismissing the fears, getting them thinking about the probability will help reduce the anxiety.
Build Their Independence
A school trip might be the first time your child has been away overnight, you could arrange a sleepover with a friend or family member before the trip to help them practise.
Make sure they can take care of themselves. The basics include brushing hair, getting dressed and undressed, brushing teeth and, if needed, how to take medicine (such as asthma inhalers) under adult supervision.
Along with these life skills, think about jobs they might have to do whilst on the trip. Why not get them washing up and drying dishes, making their bed and changing sheets and sweeping the floor and wiping counter tops - its a great opportunity for more help around the house!
Keep Them Informed
School trips take a lot of organising and it’s easy to miss information. Try and stay on top of communications home. Read letters and emails from school together and let your child make notes of important details.
The internet is great for showing them where they are going. Use Google Maps to see images of the local area and if the trip company or location has its own website look at the pictures.
Often, schools will have rules about what can and cannot be taken on the trip. Make sure your child knows what they must leave at home.
Let Them Pack Themselves
It’s tempting to pack for your child to avoid forgetting anything but letting them pack builds independence. They could create a kit list to show what clothing and equipment they need. They could lay everything out on their bed to show you before folding it away. Maybe do a final check to make sure they have remembered everything!
Final Thoughts
Preparing your child for residential trips can feel like a challenge but after all the hard work your child’s residential will fly by! You can look forward to them returning full of stories about their wonderful time away.
