In British Columbia, it has been announced that as of June 1st, 2020 our schools will be open for all students on a volunteer basis. (During the COVID-19 lock down period, some students of essential workers have been continuing to attend school.)
The high school students will have the option of attending one assigned day per week for the month of June.
The elementary school students will also be able to attend on a part-time basis, in order for there to be fewer students in a class at one time and for desks and students to be spread out.
Many children I’ve spoken to are looking forward to returning to school but many are also feeling anxious.
This announcement heightens anxiety for many, as it will mean getting used to more change and as we know, uncertainty feeds anxiety.
Many adults and kids are feeling more comfortable with the COVID-19 restrictions now than when they were first implemented, as we’ve had time to adjust and adapt.
Returning to school, is going to require new adjustments and adaptability skills, as school is going to be very different now than pre-COVID-19.
How Can I Help Reduce My Child’s Anxiety about Returning to School?
Check-in with yourself…
Notice your own worries and fears.
Change your own unhelpful thoughts to more helpful thoughts so that you can feel more confident about everything going well.
Our kids pick up on our energy so we need to calm ourselves first and foremost.
Ask your child about their feelings…
…and remember “Feelings First, Logics Last”. We want to listen to their feelings and validate them, not fix them.
Just listen and validate… “It sounds as though you’re feeling ______, _______ and _______. Can you tell me more about each of these feelings…”
Continue to let them know that their feelings are valid and you can understand that they’re feeling this way.
Now for the logics – discuss the facts…
When they’re ready, remind them that it helps to look at the “evidence” so our negative thoughts don’t get carried away on us.
Go over the safety measures that are being put in place.
Go over the changes that will be very different.
(As parents can we expect some sadness too, especially once our kids go to school and realize how much has changed and how many restrictions are still necessary. Read my previous article on how The Five Stages of Grieving apply to the losses we are feeling from the coronavirus.)
Find ways for them to still feel connected to you even when you’re apart…
For younger children, book such as The Invisible String and The Kissing Hand explain how we’re still connected heart to heart even when we’re apart. (Read my previous article on bridging the separation when our kids go to school.)
For younger ones, we can put a note in their backpack: ” 👁❤️U” (and teach them what this says!)
For older ones, we can send them a text.
In the beautiful words of Maya Angelou:
“Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Invite one to stay.”
Hope propels us forward and fear holds us back, let’s encourage our children to feel hope.
Warmly,
PS. The North Vancouver School District PAC is hosting me for a live Zoom presentation on Understanding Anxiety and Anxiety Management Strategies this Monday, May 25th at 7pm. This free event is for parents and staff in the North Vancouver School District. Please contact your PAC representative or visit the your school’s PAC page to register through the Event Brite link. It’s free to register but the deadline to register is May 23rd, 2020.
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