Caring for the mental health of children and adolescents in the return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID- 19 pandemic has caused major disruptions in the daily lives of children and adolescents and they have been really hurt by these changes. While many are excited about going back to school, others feel overwhelmed or scared. Here are some tips to help your child manage some of the emotions they may have when going back to school.
Fear of returning to face-to-face classes. How to help?
Under normal circumstances, especially during a global pandemic, the start of school or the new school year can be stressful. You can help your child stay calm by talking openly about the things that worry them and letting them know that it is natural to be nervous. Children may feel nervous or reluctant when they return to school, especially if they have been home schooled for several months. For example, you can explain some of the changes they may encounter at school, such as the need to wear some kind of protective gear, like the continued use of mouth covers and antibacterial gel. In addition, they also find it difficult to maintain physical distance from their friends and teachers at school, so you can encourage them to consider other ways to connect with them and stay in touch. Reassure your child by talking to him or her about the safety measures taken to help care for the health of students and teachers, and remind him or her that he or she can also help prevent the spread of the virus by coughing or sneezing into his or her elbow and washing his or her hands with soap. Remind your child of the positive side; for example, he or she will get to meet his or her friends and teacher (if returning to school face-to-face), and will continue to learn new things.
The return to school will be gradual and this may cause some nervousness about not having the same classmates. When the official announcement of the official return to classes arrives, support him/her in preparing for it, providing him/her with security.
Warn them of the possibility that schools may have to close again, this will help them become aware of the adaptation period. It is also important to remind them that education can be anywhere, whether at home or at school.
Always keep Internet access supervised; virtual games, social networking and videoconferencing programs can provide excellent opportunities for children to communicate, learn and play with their friends. You can also encourage your children to express themselves through technological means, to share their opinions and to help those in need during this crisis.
You can encourage your children to take advantage of digital tools that keep them awake and active, such as virtual exercise videos or video games that require physical movement. As much as possible, don’t forget to maintain a balance between online entertainment and offline activities, such as spending time outdoors.
How can I encourage my child to take care of himself/herself at school without stressing him/her?
The best way to take care of them from COVID-19 and other diseases is very easy, encourage them to have a continuous hand washing, use antibacterial gel, cover mouths and keep a healthy distance at all times, you don’t have to say it in a way that stresses them out, just show them the advantages of staying safe. By understanding the why of all these measures, they are more likely to do them. Remember to teach your child to cover coughs or sneezes with their forearm and ask them to keep you aware at all times if they feel any symptoms of illness and their mood.
How do I know if my child is emotionally affected?
It is essential to remain calm, but attentive in conversations with your children: maintain fluid communication to know how they are feeling. It is normal that during this pandemic, emotions change constantly and you must let them know that this is totally normal.
Within the school or home, it is an excellent idea to propose creative activities, such as board games, an activity that has to do with the arts, etc., so they can express themselves and communicate their negative emotions that they are going through and feel confident to express it in a safe environment. This will help them express their anger, sadness or fear in a positive way.
It is important to remember that the youngest members of the household copy the reactions of the adults they commonly live with. It is important that these adults keep their own emotions in check and remain calm, listen to their children’s worries and fears, and converse gently to maintain a calm environment.
