Wellbeing 

How ‘match fit’ for school are our children this year?

 

After extended periods of upheavals, disappointments, hybrid learning and absence of social interactions, many of us, and students in particular, are feeling the exhaustion of ‘life back to normal’. There is no doubt that adjusting to the social codes of face-to-face learning and interacting with others can be challenging for students, some of whom have, in effect, hardly been at school at all. Even positive change can lead to anxiety, and it can take time to readjust to things we have not done for a while.

 

Over the past couple of years, we have had to live very insular lives, and this is really the anthesis of children’s lives of the past. So, as we all adjust to the new normal, one full term done, and mid-way through another, fatigue - emotional and physical – might be settling in. Many children are now realising - consciously or not- that school is every day.

 

For most children, particularly those under Grade 3, the skills and resilience that come from social interactions and long days at school were missed. This means that adjustment to the new normal can be a bit bumpy. Reticence to leave parents at the school gate, fatigue, and a sense of being overwhelmed. is not uncommon. Most adults, too, are readjusting to the busier lives we now lead- but for us, we have the years prior to 2020 of learning and resilience to bolster our coping skills.  Feelings of anxiety are likely to pass with time as we all get used to the "new normal" but it's important to do what we can to take care of our mental health.

 

Here are some strategies we can employ to reassure our children that they can strengthen their abilities to cope, learn and find balance in these new routines of ‘normal’.

 

-       Expect a readjustment phase- it is normal to feel a little overwhelmed when routines have changed so much

-       Try not to let them avoid things completely (especially school)

-       Establish routines as soon as possible for the week

-       Remind them that there are holidays to look forward to after each term where they can slow down

-       Teach friendship resilience- that they can take time to build and are always evolving

-       Manage after school commitments – less might be more as they re-assimilate

-       Build in some down time at home to rest and recuperate

-       Reinforce social and emotional cues in relationships with others - eye contact, kindness, empathy, showing an interest in others

-       Review key concepts learned at school such as timetables, spelling, reading at home, so children feel a sense of control about their learning

-       Spend some time on a Sunday reviewing the week ahead and setting up good routines of organisation by getting things ready and planning ahead

 

Signs to watch out for:

-       Avoidance of usual activities and social engagements

-       Changes to sleep and eating habits

-       Lack of motivation

-       Catastrophising

-       Decline in school results/performance

 

As always, speak to your child’s teacher or wellbeing team at school if you have any concerns.

Mrs Lucinda Thom