With prep students in Melbourne returning to the classroom for the first time post-lockdown today, and other year levels to follow during the next week, a paediatrician has urged parents, teachers and children to “go gently” on themselves.

Paediatrician and researcher at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Dr Anthea Rhodes, says returning to on-site learning will be a big adjustment for everyone involved.

“For kids and parents, and teachers and school staff heading back, there’s excitement, there’s worry and fear, there might even be a bit of sadness,” she told Neil Mitchell.

Dr Rhodes says there will be a lot of “big feelings” today and they may come out in unpredictable ways.

“I think the most important thing is to recognise those things … and recognise they might show up in unusual ways,” she said.

“They don’t always come out in a way that we can explain them.

“For children as well, when they’re home they tend to let their guard down but when they’re out and at school they have to learn how to regulate themselves and a lot of little kids may have forgotten that.”

Dr Rhodes urged all involved in the transition to school to “go gently” on themselves.

“It’s going to take some time,” she said.

Press PLAY below to hear Dr Rhodes’ advice on the return to school

Thinking of all the kids, parents, teachers and school staff as many children head back to school today. As we say in paeds, there will be lots of ‘big feelings’ around today. This is absolutely to be expected. It’s a lot to deal with. Go gently on yourselves and your kids❤️

— Dr Anthea Rhodes 👩🏻‍⚕️📚🎙 (@DrAntheaRhodes) October 17, 2021