As we know, face to face learning is set to resume from Monday 7th February, after what has been a mammoth Christmas holiday period.
Although most children will embrace this return with a mixture of apprehension and excitement, some will have difficulty transitioning back into formal learning. For our littlies, starting or returning to school is a big deal and can be a daunting experience, let alone in the current climate.
The biggest thing parents can do to ease their children’s anxiety is to make sure they manage their own. Kids are renowned for picking up on all those little things we think we keep well hidden, anxiety in particular. If our kids know that we are worried about them going to school, they will assume they too need to be worried. Therefore, it is vital that we manage our own feelings in regard to their return to school, and be mindful of how much we share with our kids. This also goes for the types of media they consume, so in the lead up it might be best to switch the news off for a couple of days.
Other things we can do to keep the return to school as stress-free as possible include highlighting the positives of being back. What has your child been missing about school? Are they excited to be able to use all their new equipment? Will it be great to see their friends again? Switching the focus from the negative to the positive is a great way to remind them about all the good aspects of school.
Establishing and sticking to a routine also works wonders for managing anxiety. If kids know what to expect, they can be significantly less anxious than if they are faced with the unknown. Maybe you might practice your morning routine, where your child practises getting ready for school; or you help them to draw up a chart showing what happens on which days. A perceived sense of control in a time where it feels like we have very little can go a long way towards reducing anxiety.
As always, if you feel like your child (or you!) needs additional support in managing the return to the classroom, we are here to help. Contact us on 37160445 to book an appointment!
If you are interested in discussing any of the points further or would like to hear about a particular topic, we would be more than happy to hear from you. Feel free to send an email to admin@childpsych.net.au and we will answer any questions you may have.
Comments