“We start re-framing — so when we feel those butterflies we’re going to know that both of these things can feel the same, but we’re choosing to focus on the excitement,” she says. "Talk to your child about your own feelings and explain the ways that you cope with anxiety. “Anxiety comes from the difficulty of operating with uncertainty. Stay current on the health insights that make a difference to your children. She adds that facing the worst-case scenario head-on, in a safe space, helps children realize that they can come up with solutions and may have strategies to cope including social and emotional regulation as well as problem solving skills. The second is developing a sense of hope and resilience in the future. But there is nothing normal about this coming school year, so expect entirely new stress levels among kids, both good and bad, two UC Davis behavioral experts said Thursday (July 30) on UC Davis LIVE: COVID-19. For many of us, the coronavirus and the COVID-19 illness make for a very uncertain future. People worry about their own health and the health of their loved ones, both here and abroad. In addition, many normal routines will change as schools take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. One way to approach this is to use the “hammer or hammock” method. Once those feelings have been recognized and acknowledged, DaSilva suggests a few coping activities and calming strategies that can help resolve them, depending on your child’s age and temperament: This involves looking at all the things that are within our control and those that are out of our control. Arrange play dates with one or more familiar peers before school starts. Checking in with your kids and simply asking them what they need from you and how you can help goes a long way, says DaSilva. Rogers Media uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Please contact us. Here are tips to help your children navigate some of the complicated emotions they may be facing with going back to school. kids return to school Monday but anxiety among some parents remains high | Globalnews.ca Parents told Global News they are … Children may show their anxiety in different ways. It's important to acknowledge the situation in age-appropriate ways and offer support.". See more resources to keep your family healthy at the Children's Health COVID-19 hub. For parents, she says it gives them a sense of control over the situation. Coronavirus: B.C. How you help your child as they transition back to school may depend on what type of anxiety they are experiencing and their age. "Most of the time, our children know what is going on to an extent. * Coronavirus: Students back at school in level 3 is a health risk, principals say * Coronavirus: A guide to mandatory mask use during Covid-19 level 2 and beyond Send positive or encouraging notes in your child's lunch or backpack. Thirteen to 14-year-olds were less anxious during lockdown than they had … Throw in COVID-19 and the worries are multiplied tenfold. Be the first to know! Are you interested in helping your child cope with anxiety and fears during the COVID-19 pandemic as they head back to school? Cross roads But while increased anxiety is only natural, we can all adopt strategies to control it Throw in COVID-19 and the worries are multiplied tenfold. There is a lot of uncertainty right now,” said You know your child best, so be on the lookout for changes in your child's behavior and mood, such as: If your child is showing any of these signs, they may have anxiety about returning to school or COVID-19 in general. Learners displaced from closed, flooded schools, classes … A group discussion to validate those feelings, commiserate and perhaps come up with solutions can then follow. Further, she says doing a bit of research and using facts and numbers to dispel fears can also help — looking into things like the percentage of children getting COVID-19, the likelihood of a person their age recovering fully as well as strategies to stop the spread and protect oneself. However, for others coming back to school, as well as those who are still at home, things might be tough, so it's important to focus on two key elements for everyone. If your child is going to participate in virtual or remote learning, take steps to set them up for success academically, physically and emotionally. For primary school kids Get back into the school-day routine at least a week early – waking up, eating and going to bed at regular times. Whether your child will be returning to school in person or virtually, it is important to ease them back into a structured daily routine and. How you help your child as they transition back to school may depend on what type of anxiety they are experiencing and their age. These steps will all contribute to minimising risk related to COVID-19, while allowing teachers to get back to teaching children. All rights reserved. Dr. Westers recommends trying some of these techniques to help your child cope with back-to-school anxiety and stress during COVID-19: Dr. Westers encourages parents that children are resilient but cautions that it's important to pay attention to signs of anxiety during this time. Supports may include school counseling and psychological services, social-emotional learning (SEL)-focused … How to cope with back-to-school anxiety during COVID-19 It's normal for kids to feel a little stressed out or anxious about heading back to school. Tips to Ease Anxiety. Lastly, it's important to acknowledge that this time of uncertainty is stressful for parents, and that parents should take steps to care for themselves, too. Get breaking news, weather and traffic stories in your inbox 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. By Tracey Raye. For instance, children under age 12 are more likely to have separation anxiety and might need reassurance about being away from you, especially after spending increased time together due to the pandemic. Returning to school under the pall of a pandemic may heighten anxiety, but the signs in children might not be obvious. {* backButton *} If you decide to send kids back to school, regain control by creating a ritualized transition for them when they arrive back home: things like using hand sanitizer, undressing, putting their clothes in a plastic bag, and heading straight for the bath, Dr. Herrick says. “Giving them a visual of ‘I’m noticing that you’re doing this or saying this’… opens up that space for them to feel safe and comfortable talking about those feelings.”. For parents, DaSilva says it’s important that they “practice self-compassion” and remember that there are no perfect answers. But 2020 is not a typical year, and the return to school, or distance learning, amid the coronavirus pandemic has many families and educators on edge.. Parents are wondering how to help their children cope with the anxiety of the unknown surrounding school this year, while keeping everyone safe. This year, COVID-19 may add to those stresses as children worry about themselves or their loved ones becoming ill. This year, both the expectations and unknown factors have increased. DaSilva says there are a few signs to watch for that could convey your child has anxiety. 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Online resource providing self-help information, community programs and workshops, for individuals, educators, health professionals and care providers on anxiety, anxiety disorders including panic attacks, OCD, PTSD, GAD and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Children’s Health is proud to become the first pediatric health system in the country to offer Amazon Lockers, self-service kiosks that allow you to pick up your Amazon packages when and where you need them most – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Heading back to school sparks an upswing in anxiety for many children. These tend to be young people who experienced signs of anxiety prior to the coronavirus outbreak. Subscribe to CityNews Toronto newsletters, I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. Previously, there may have been in tears about not wanting to go to school or they may have regularly said that they had tummy aches or felt sick on school days. “It really gives kids a moment where they know, at this time we are going to talk about this worry, and until then I’m going to externalize it and go on with my day,” she says. Check in with your child frequently and listen to their concerns. Travelling to school. Please confirm the information below before signing up. Set up ways for your child to continue to socialize safely with their friends over the phone or video chat, especially if they participate in distance learning. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. {* createAccountButton *}, You may have created a profile with another. DaSilva says working towards replacing negative self-talk with more solution focused, positive thoughts helps reduce anxiety and create a more optimistic outlook. As Europe counts the cost of nearly four months of the coronavirus pandemic, governments are having to make the call. Anxiety levels among young teenagers dropped during the coronavirus pandemic, a study has suggested. Get caught up on the day's top stories and videos, along with the weather webcast and what's in store for CityNews Tonight at 11 p.m. and tomorrow on Breakfast Television. For more information to help your family navigate returning to school during the pandemic, visit our COVID-19 back-to-school guidance page. © 2021 Children's Health. Ranked in all 10 pediatric specialties thanks to our caregivers. It means it’s going to be exactly the way it was because we just came out of lockdown,” she says. Help your child focus on what they can control in the fight against the pandemic, such as. “That way we’re already teaching kids that it’s OK to feel anxiety, but when you’re feeling it, you want to start thinking about how you can manage that,” says DaSilva. Children may be feeling both anxious and excited about returning to school. READ THE FULL STORY:Psychotherapist discusses back-to-school anxiety amid COVID-19 pandemic. A week or two before school, start preparing children for the upcoming transition by getting back to school year routines, such as a realistic bedtime and selecting tomorrow's clothes. “If you’re noticing changes, opening up that space and talking about what you’re seeing [is the first step],” says DaSilva. All rights reserved. There’s plenty to be anxious about: the virus itself, how our country is handling the situation, financial and practical concerns around workplace and school closures, and the many unanswered questions still floating around. We didn't recognize that password reset code. Younger children may get nervous about leaving their parents, and older children may worry about academics or how they'll fit in with their friends after spending time apart during summer. ORLANDO, Fla. - Back-to-school season is especially stressful for families this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic brings on new challenges. Allowing schools that have not recorded any coronavirus cases could be advisable, he said. “So it’s not waiting until you really need it, but thinking about how beneficial it’s going to be if we start doing it before there’s an issue.”. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. A certain level of back-to-school anxiety is normal. DaSilva says if a child’s thoughts are spiralling towards catastrophic events, it might be beneficial to play into that and breakdown what it would mean if the worst-case scenario were to actually play out. Back to school anxiety: how to manage following covid-19 . "Being able to cope with that uncertainty and recognize that it's okay to feel that way is an important part of supporting mental health during this time.". COVID-19 case confirmed at New Era School in Brandon, province says At first, Martin said Sophie was upset to find out she wouldn't be going back to school … Older children may feel unsure about how changes might affect their … DaSilva says creating a “worry box” where children can write down or draw out their fears and collect them in a box helps them be aware of their anxieties but also externalize them so they’re not ruminating over them. “We’re all trying to figure it out and we’re all a little on edge and feeling stress and anxiety, so remembering that we’re all in the same boat [is helpful].”. The next step is to comb through the list of things we can control and see how we can plan for each scenario and problem solve perhaps via role playing. The idea is to ask the child whether they would like to hammer out the problem and try to find a solution or whether they need the parent to be a hammock — “someone to lay there with them and let them feel their emotions and process their feelings, cuddle them and give them that emotional support and care,” explains DaSilva. How to handle back-to-school anxiety CNN's Erica Hill and Dr. Sanjay Gupta talk with experts about how to handle our emotions during the coronavirus pandemic. {* forgotPassword_sendButton *}, {* backButton *} Sign up for the Children's Health newsletter and have more tips sent directly to your inbox. 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While the return to school will be not only welcome but exciting for many students, others will be feeling anxious or frightened. Back to school anxiety: how to manage following covid-19; This competition is now closed. Make sure to validate their emotions, letting them know that their concerns and frustrations are understandable. She adds that this method gives children the language to advocate for themselves and clearly communicate their needs. Learn more about Amazon Lockers. When they go back to school, there are academic and social pressures and a lot more is expected than has been over the summer months. Sorry we could not verify that email address. We are not wired to tolerate uncertainty – and these are the most uncertain of times. Fellowship and Subspecialty Training Programs, Child Life and Music Therapy Training Opportunities, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS/PEARS), tips to help children adjust to wearing a mask, visit our COVID-19 back-to-school guidance page, Physical symptoms like nausea, muscle tension or dizziness. “Anxiety feels very similar to excitement,” says DaSilva, and helping kids recognize those similarities can also help with anxiety management. While plans may continue to change, explain to your child what you do know about what the school year or classroom will look like to help them mentally prepare. 333 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario M4W 1G9 © 2002-2021 Rogers Media. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, {* backButton *} For instance, children under age 12 are more likely to have separation anxiety and might need reassurance about being away from you, especially after spending increased time together due to the pandemic. Children’s Health is proud to become the first pediatric health system in the country to offer Amazon Lockers, self-service kiosks that allow you to pick up your Amazon packages when and where you need them most – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The uncertainty of the situation and changes in routine can cause many students – and parents – to feel stressed and anxious. "Downplaying the seriousness of COVID-19 may not be helpful," says Dr. Westers. For anxious kids, plenty of detail can be calming. CHECK OUT WMUR:Get the top New Hampshire news of … While parents can help their children cope with anxiety at home, the Toronto District School Board as well as Toronto Catholic District School Board say they have several mental health resources for students as well as teachers available on their websites as well as in school. See more. 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