Skills for returning to school are not built overnight
On this occasion, we invite you to attend the seminar “Skills for Returning to School,” to be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity. Schools have started, and children have returned to their seats, but a true return to the academic routine does not happen simply by entering the classroom or starting classes. A child accustomed to staying up late will not wake up with energy just because an alarm is set; a child who has spent long hours in front of screens will not immediately regain their focus; and an adolescent who spent the vacation without responsibilities will not suddenly transition to committing to homework and time management. Habits do not change through commands, but through gradual progression and repetition. The more we try to impose change abruptly, the greater the resistance and tension within the home. Therefore, a successful return requires preparing the body, mind, and emotions, even after school has begun.
We begin by gradually regulating sleep, reducing screen time, organizing meal times, and giving children simple daily responsibilities that restore their sense of order. It is also important to talk with them about their feelings toward school; some do not fear studying itself, but are worried about making friends, dealing with teachers, or feeling unable to keep up with others. Preparation does not mean filling our children with instructions, but helping them acquire skills they will need throughout the year: How do they manage their time? How do they take care of their health? How do they handle pressure? And how do they ask for help when they need it?
Let us create change calmly and give our children enough time to practice; skills are not acquired overnight, and habits do not change with a fleeting decision, but are built through small, repeated steps until they become a way of life. Returning to school is not merely the start of attendance, but a continuous journey of preparation and support that begins at home.
Nada M. Al-Mudhaf
