EDUCATION
COPING WITH RETURN TO SCHOOL ANXIETY
BY TINA WALKER
IT ’ S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT JUST UNDER A YEAR AGO , THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THE CLOSURE OF ALL SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES . I REMEMBER WATCHING THE NEWS WITH DISBELIEF . WHAT DID THIS MEAN FOR OUR KIDS , THEIR EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH ? TEENAGERS APPEARED TO HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THIS , SOME COULDN ’ T BELIEVE THE EXAMS HAD BEEN SCRAPPED AND RAN AROUND PUNCHING THE AIR , WHILST OTHERS WERE UTTERLY DEVASTATED THAT POTENTIALLY ALL THEIR HARDWORK MIGHT NOT BE RECOGNISED .
Fast forward a year , children have missed a lot of school . Anxiety levels in children and teenagers are increasing . Being isolated at home and separated from their friends is not helping .
There is hope that schools may be open from early spring . Great news for most parents but how is your child feeling about this ? If your child is showing or expressing anxiety around going back to school , they are going to need the help and support of their families or caregivers . Now is the time to start preparing them for their return . However , it can be difficult to spot signs of anxiety in children , particularly teenagers who may spend a lot of time in their rooms .
Younger children may be more inclined to open up but sometimes are unsure of what they are feeling . Listen to the clues they give . They may say that they have a tummy ache , headache or can become clingy as the return to school becomes closer . They can feel overwhelmed at the change of routine again and just not sure how to cope . Other signs may include disruptive behaviour or tearful outbursts . Keep an eye on their behaviour .
For those of you with primary aged children and are homeschooling , don ’ t forget to add fresh air into the curriculum . It ’ s not easy to find the time when you are also working from home , but just half an hour outside and a change of scenery can really make a difference to our mental health . Try and meet up with one of the child ’ s friends at an outdoor space so they can just get out and have fun . Remind them how great it will be to see their friends again when they eventually return to school .
Normalising children ’ s feelings can be really helpful . Tell them it ’ s ok to feel nervous about their return to school , perhaps you can also admit to feeling nervous about returning to work . Healthy anxiety is designed to keep us safe , the trick is not to let it take over .
It can be harder to get teenagers to open up but again , try and spend time with them but on their terms . Watch TV with them , sport , films , creative , or travel programmes ; favourite films etc . Let them choose and ask them what it is they like about that programme , favourite characters etc . If they are into music , encourage them to bring the music to mealtimes and let them play their favourite artists . Teenagers often relate to the lyrics ( just as we did ). Be interested , this will help keep lines of communication open .
Meal times are a great time to talk to your children . Listen , be available and engage .
Above all , give yourself a break , chances are , you are working , homeschooling , running a 24-hour diner and just trying to survive . Good luck !
Tina Walker is a BACP registered counsellor . She works from her private practice in Meopham and is also an experienced bereavement counsellor who has worked as a volunteer counsellor at the elenor hospice in Northfleet .
tinalouisewalker @ aol . com 07885 693173 www . counselling-directory . org . uk counsellors / tina-walker
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