To say the 2020 \u2013 2021 school year was a rollercoaster for children is an understatement. Remote learning, socially distanced classes, closures in response to COVID cases, constant uncertainty\u2026it was a lot for kids to handle.<\/p>\n
And while we\u2019re in a different place heading into the 2021 \u2013 2022 school year, there\u2019s still a lot of uncertainty\u2014which means many children are feeling nervous or apprehensive about the year ahead.<\/p>\n
So, the question is, after such a tough year with so many ups and downs, how can you help your children manage their feelings\u2014and mentally prepare to go back to school?<\/p>\n
Talk to your kids about their feelings\u2026<\/h2>\n
If your kids are feeling nervous or anxious about heading back to school, one of the best things you can do? Talk to them about it.<\/p>\n
If you notice your child seems apprehensive about the upcoming school year, try \u201csitting down with your child to talk openly about their anxiety,\u201d says Dr. Donna Novak, Psy.D., a Simi Valley, CA-based psychologist that specializes in anxiety. \u201cAsk them if they are feeling nervous about [going back to school] and to share exactly what makes them nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n
As your children identify their challenging feelings (like anxiety or apprehension), \u201cprovide validation and active listening while coming up with a plan for how they will get through their feelings,\u201d says Novak. \u201cFor example, is there a friend they can talk to? Can they have something to remind themselves at the moment [they\u2019re feeling nervous], such as \u2018I know my mom and I will have special time after school to hang out and talk?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, as you\u2019re talking to your children about their feelings, it\u2019s important to keep yours in check; the last thing you want is to transfer your fears and anxieties around the upcoming school year to them\u2014and have them walk into their first day of school carrying your<\/em> stress with them. So, while you don\u2019t want to be dishonest with your kids or pretend like everything is fine when it isn\u2019t, be aware of not transferring your own school-related anxieties to your kids (and if you need to vent or talk through your own anxieties, save the conversation for an adult partner or loved one).<\/p>\n Bottom line? Helping your children talk through their feelings\u2014and come up with a plan for dealing with them\u2014can help them feel more confident heading into the school year.<\/p>\n Part of helping your children come up with a plan to manage anxiety, apprehension, and other challenging feelings related to the upcoming school year is giving them tools to help manage those feelings.<\/p>\n For example, \u201cparents can help their children cope with\u2026anxiety by practicing mindfulness and positive self-talk with them,\u201d says Novak.\u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say that, after a year of mostly remote learning, your child is struggling with social anxiety. In that situation, you could help them identify their challenging thoughts (\u201cNo one likes me. I\u2019m not good enough<\/em>.\u201d) and replace it with something more positive. (\u201cEveryone feels nervous sometimes. I\u2019m doing the best I can\u2014and that is enough<\/em>.\u201d)<\/p>\n There are a variety of tools you can share with your children to help them better cope with anxiety and other challenging feelings, like breathing exercises, meditation, exercise and stretching, or talking things out with a teacher. Work with your child to figure out what works best for them; knowing that they have a plan and tools in place to deal with challenging emotions when they arise can make them feel less apprehensive about going back to school.<\/p>\n If your children haven\u2019t done much socializing over the past year-plus, the thought of going back to school\u2014and being around a new group of classmates\u2014can feel overwhelming.<\/p>\n So, if you want them to feel better prepared for the new school year\u2014and all the social interaction that goes along with it\u2014start easing them into it ahead of time by coordinating play dates and social activities with friends and classmates in the weeks leading up to the first day of school.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving go-to friends and familiar faces during back-to-school alleviates anxiety and first-day jitters,\u201d says parenting and education design expert Dr. Karen Aronian, Ed.D.<\/p>\n For a lot of children, the 2020 \u2013 2021 school year lacked the structure they were used to. But hopefully, 2021 \u2013 2022 will be a return to a more \u201cnormal\u201d school schedule. So, if you want to mentally prepare your kids for the upcoming school year, you need to reintroduce that structure\u2014and get them back on a schedule now<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cParents can help their kids transition back into a more structured schedule by practicing prior<\/em> to school starting,\u201d says Novak. \u201cThis [may look like] like waking up early for school time, preparing a breakfast together, and planning activities for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n And while you might be tempted to provide that structure for<\/em> your child, if you want them to successfully adapt to their new schedule in time for the school year, you should involve them in the process.<\/p>\n \u201cSet up a doable, mutually determined schedule with your kids,\u201d says Aronian. \u201cNo matter their age, child input equals child buy-in.\u201d<\/p>\n Once you and your child (or children) have figured out a routine, make sure you post that routine throughout your home; that way, they have visual reminders of what they need to do and when\u2014which can make it easier to get back in the swing of things, when the time comes, transition into their routine for the school year.<\/p>\n \u201cPost the plan on the refrigerator, inside their bedroom door, at their desk, [or] inside the front door,\u201d says Aronian.<\/p>\n This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tDeanna deBara is a freelance writer based in Portland, OR. She covers a wide range of wellness topics, including fitness, nutrition, relationships, and mental health. Her work has appeared on Greatist, Men’s Health, Ravishly, The Fix, What’s Good by The Vitamin Shoppe, and more.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p><\/div>\n\u2026and give them tools to manage them<\/h2>\n
Plan social activities<\/h2>\n
Get them back into a routine<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tDeanna deBara\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
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