Chaplain's Chat
This week
Change isn’t always easy, nor is it always wanted. Change, like healing, takes time.
I’ve reflected this week on change: students needing to change their thinking with regards to how they behave in class and in the playground; children needing to change how they react when they feel angry or upset; change as parents separate and decide on different living arrangements; change in the workforce (losing or starting a job). Even smaller changes like moving offices at school! Even though I’ve moved over 20 times in 40 years, packing and moving doesn’t come easily to me! But pack and move I must!
How can we help children cope well through change? There are lots of ways you can help your child to cope during challenging or worrying situations. You might like to:
- Listen and talk to your child. Help them to identify their concerns or worries and acknowledge how they are feeling. For example, you could say, “it sounds like you are worried about who you will play with at school tomorrow.”
- Comfort your child. There may be times when your child does not want to talk and just having a parent nearby engaging in a shared activity or giving them a cuddle is helpful. Reassure your child when they are feeling worried or unsure. For example, you could say, “it is a big playground but there is an area for just the little kids to play.”
- Demonstrate and model ways that you cope with situations. For example, you could say, “I am going to take five deep breaths to help myself relax.”
- Prepare your child for changes. Talk positively with your child about school, show them their new surroundings and do activities together that relate to starting school, such as reading stories about change.
- Encourage help-seeking by teaching your child when to ask for help. For example, your child could ask a teacher for help to open their lunch box.
- Problem-solve the situation with your child through a step-by-step process.
- Encourage your child by talking positively about their attempts to cope.
For more on change, go to https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/starting-school/5-coping-skills-children
School holidays are upon us! Here are some links to holiday activities:
https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=1682
http://www.knox.vic.gov.au/naidoc
http://bricks4kidz.com.au/melbourne-knox/program-events/school-holiday-workshops/
Have a great break! I will see you in Term 3!
Sarah McIntosh