Equipped with the knowledge that students will soon be returning to school during a global pandemic, some students may be worried or fearful. Students may have concerns about contracting the virus, the uncertainty about the school year, wearing masks daily, and/or how instruction and assessment may change, among many other things.
It’s important to remember that anxiety is a necessary emotion and one that has traditionally ensured the safety and success of the human population. But, as parents and guardians, what can we do to help our children feel equipped to manage their fears about returning to school in September?
First, you can begin talking to your child about the return to school plan early by acknowledging their feelings and reassuring them that none of their worries are silly. It can sometimes be difficult for children to discuss these feelings with adults and noticing their behaviour can give us clues about how they are feeling.
For example, if they avoid talking about school, begin detaching from friends, or avoid school altogether, these are signs that your child may have some anxiety about returning to school. Try talking to them when they are in a calm state with minimal distractions, and let them know that you won’t tell anyone they don’t want to know, or do anything to reduce their fears without their consent, unless it’s an emergency.
By doing this, you are building trust with your child so that they are comfortable continuing to communicate with you about their concerns.
It can also be beneficial to discuss some of your favourite memories of school and encourage your child to do the same. Reflecting on these experiences creates feelings of contentment, happiness, and excitement and may help your child anticipate more enjoyable experiences. Moreover, children can be encouraged to consider things they might be looking forward to as part of progressing to the next stage of their education.
For example, do they get to learn a new subject? Do they get to see some friends that they haven’t seen in a while?
Next, exposing children to various aspects of school ahead of time may be helpful, and the sooner the better. Some ideas include driving or walking past the school, attending any functions hosted by the school prior to the start of the year like welcome sessions, or contacting the school to see if your child can meet with a teacher ahead of time using a platform such as Google Meet or Zoom.
If these exposures are difficult for your child to tolerate, that is a good indication that they may experience high levels of anxiety when they return to school for the first day.
The good news is that anxiety is very treatable and responds well to psychotherapy, especially if services are sought early. If you anticipate that your child will have difficulty returning to school because of worries associated with COVID-19, you can access support through the school, outside agencies such as Compass (formerly the Child and Family Centre), or private practices.
Angie Hunda, BA BEd MACP, registered psychotherapist (Qualifying) and Stacey Roles, RN MScN PhD(c) Psychotherapist, work with Stacey E. Roles Associates, a team of registered multidisciplinary clinicians in certified cognitive behavioural therapy.
