Opinion | Monday, 1st March 2021
Back to school: Tips for parents and teachers to help children readjust
As our children head back to the classroom, it is important to reflect the impact of prolonged disruption on our lives
By Dr Leanne Staniford, Research Associate, Health, Psychology and Communities Research Group, Manchester Metropolitan University
For many families, Monday’s return to school is a welcome milestone after another COVID-enforced absence. As uniforms are once again pulled out of wardrobes, and packed lunch boxes are dug out from cupboards in preparation, we reflect on the true impact that recent weeks and months have had on the wellbeing of children – but also parents and teachers too.
Routine is often the cornerstone of children’s development, but also the supporting structure for adults too. A third lockdown has again thrown these established schedules into disarray, and we have adapted, but for our children’s benefit, the impacts of this disruption on our wellbeing should not be ignored.
Parents and schoolteachers have key roles in making the return to school a smooth transition, but evidence shows that leading by example and checking in with their own mental health and wellbeing is at the foundation.
Research reported in the Lancet Psychiatry showed the increase in potential mental health problems reported in adults was mirrored in children aged 5–16 year olds in England (the incidence rose from 10·8% in 2017 to 16·0% in July 2020 across age, gender, and ethnic groups).
Open conversations
That’s why, if you are an adult in this position, you can’t forget about your own emotional needs and wellbeing. It’s important to speak to your support networks and be open about any concerns on the return to school and express emotions you are feeling.
Releasing these emotions will help adults to communicate with children calmly. Children often pick up on the emotions of adults around them.
Listening and validating children’s emotions is key to their adaptation through the ever-changing demands of the past 12 months. We can’t forget that children have often faced the most significant disruptions of all, from learning at home to sometimes in school, or facing varying levels of restrictions in their social activity and freedom. Though children are resilient, they have experienced a lot.
Children may be feeling anxieties, fear, frustration or sadness as they return to school. As adults, we can help them to realise it is tough right now, but it will not be forever. We must reflect ourselves, as well as with our children, on how far we’ve come in adapting during this time of constant disruption in our daily lives and keep talking to them about this.
Mindful practice
Schools themselves can support the wellbeing of their pupils and staff by making time to introduce ‘calm moments’ at the beginning and end of every day, to support wellbeing. These moments of mindfulness, focusing on breathing, allow both children and teachers to settle in and out of the day.
Encouragingly, the government has recognised the importance of supporting mental health for the foreseeable future, appointing Dr Alex George as the new ambassador for mental health. Dr George will help to shape policy and advise on support for young people.
By working together as adults to take care of our own wellbeing, reflecting on our own resilience during such unprecedented times, we can support our children to do the same. Every school, family and child has lived a different experience during the pandemic and by accepting and focusing on our emotional wellbeing and taking an open, holistic approach to mental health, we can provide our children with the solid grounding they need to walk through the new normal.
Practical tips for parents and schoolteachers to support children returning to school
Tips for parents
- Communicate calmly and reassure children it is a difficult time but it will pass
- Use breathing and mindfulness to support your child if they are more anxious than usual (apps can be helpful support this e.g. Mindful Gnats)
- Look after your own health and wellbeing expressing emotions, maintaining healthy habits including regular sleep patterns, balanced diet, daily activity
- Communicate with teachers to keep open communication channels to support children if they are struggling
- Sit and listen to children to understand their concerns and do not be dismissive of their feelings
- You know your child best so trust your judgment and if you think they are struggling ask for support
Tips for schoolteachers
- Communicate calmly with children reassuring them it is difficult but it will not be like this forever
- Keep in contact with parents to support children particularly if you recognise they are struggling
- Look after your own health and wellbeing expressing emotions, maintaining healthy habits including regular sleep patterns, balanced diet, daily activity
- Introduce small opportunities for movement and wellbeing activities throughout the day e.g. stand up and stretch at the desk; and calm the mind moments e.g. deep breathing techniques
- Ask for support if you feel you or certain children are struggling
- Encourage children to express if they are struggling or want to talk about their emotions
For more practical tips youngminds.org website has some handy hints and NHS advice pages.
