Turn that ‘Back to School’ Frown Upside Down

This time of year can be stressful for parents and children alike. August is the month when school uniforms re-emerge, books are purchased and the prospect of school days loom ever closer. At Emma Slowe Children’s Entertainer, we very much value education, but going back to school can be an upheaval, especially for those children who might be joining a different class group, or who simply find it difficult to settle.
This month, we’d like to share some ideas for activities that can soften the blow of another school year and position your family to look forward & focus on the fun over the coming months.

Relish the Summer
This summer has been an absolute cracker! There have been oodles of sun-filled days to get out and about with the family.
While organising for back to school, why not set aside a day with the children to create a scrapbook featuring some of your favourite memories from the summer. If you had a birthday in the household it might feature, along with a holiday away, days at the beach, picnics or even a trip to the zoo.
Arts and crafts are always a popular activity at our children’s parties. Crack out some colours, scissors and funky glue and allow your children to express their creativity as you all take time to appreciate and re-live the highlights of the past couple of months.

Get Ready to Shine
Another suggestion I to prepare a ‘yearbook’ for the new school year. It will serve the same function as your summer review but will be a place ready and waiting to display all of the wonderful achievements and activities your children will take part in over the next school year.
This simple and fun activity helps children to plan and to focus on the positive aspects of school life. It can also easily be transformed into a back to school party. Invite some of the children’s friends over and launch the year with a bang!

Look Forward to Celebrations
Now is a good time to start thinking about the fun activities you and your children will plan over the coming months. Summer is usually a quiet time for parties as many people are on holiday and there aren’t any national holidays to celebrate either. However, with the return of school comes more birthday party invites and before we know it, Halloween will be just around the corner!
If your child has a birthday during the month of September, it can be a lovely opportunity to set them and their friends up for a positive new school year. Birthday parties give children a rare opportunity to mix in a group outside of school. The dynamics are slightly different and it’s a more relaxed atmosphere. If your child struggles to make friends, birthday parties are an opportunity for them to do so outside the confines of school.
At Emma Slowe Children’s Entertainer, we’re very conscious that not all children are extroverts. We work with the children on their level to ensure that they feel comfortable expressing themselves and letting go in the group.
​
Have Fun Planning
As you plan your children’s parties over the coming term why not allow them to get involved in the planning? As adults, we recognise that the build-up to an event can be just as exciting, if not more so, than the event itself. So, let them take pleasure in that excitement during the build-up to their party.
You can discuss the theme with your child in advance so that you have time to plan and get it organised. This is a good lesson for the kids, too. We love to work with themed parties and have sourced accessories for the most abstract themes imaginable. Isn’t it wonderful the ideas that children come up with?! This is a wonderfully fun part of what we deliver for our clients.
When preparing for a themed party, there are infinite possibilities for decorating and accessories. We advise choosing these items carefully and with a clear plan of what you will use each item for. A budget can quickly escalate when you pick up a few items here and there, and often people end up with stuff they don’t even use!
If the thought of the children going back to school makes you jump for joy, but the prospect of organising an upcoming birthday party leaves you cold, why not engage the party professionals to do it for you? At Emma Slowe Children’s Entertainer, we establish a budget with our clients and make the best use of that budget to deliver everything you could possibly need, including decoration, accessories, music and activities.
We work with a fully insured venue at Sandyford Community Centre, which is an ideal location for a child’s party. Or, if you prefer we are happy to travel to a venue of your choice. We also have some wonderful connections with local suppliers who can create unique, custom-made party products that help make your party a memorable one. Jane, from Ribbonprint is a great supplier who we often use for photo booth frames and other accessories.
By hiring a professional party solution, like Emma Slowe Children’s Entertainer, you can make the best use of your budget while taking all the pressure off. Then you can sit back and enjoy watching your child make some more wonderful memories.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this blog post and that you’re feeling inspired to help your child focus on the bright side of life, even in the run up to school. If we can help with any of your event and party planning needs, you can contact us here!