School Visits

The coronavirus outbreak has caused major disruptions to daily life and children are feeling these changes deeply. While the return to school will be welcoming and exciting for many students, others will be feeling anxious or frightened. Here are tips to help your children navigate some of the complicated emotions they may be facing with going back to school.

My child is scared to go back to school. How can I help them feel at ease?

Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. You can make them feel at ease by having an open conversation about what it is that’s worrying them and letting them know that it’s natural to feel anxious.

Children may feel nervous or reluctant to return to school, especially if they have been learning at home for months. Be honest – for example you could go through some of the changes they may expect at school. Children may also find it difficult being physically distanced from friends and teachers while at school – you could encourage them to think about other ways to bond and stay connected.

Reassure children about safety measures in place to keep students and teachers healthy and remind children that they can also help prevent germs spreading by washing their hands with soap and coughing or sneezing into their elbow.

Remind children about the positives – that they will be able to see their friends and teachers (if they are physically returning to the classroom) and continue learning new things.

My child is not part of the same group as their close friends returning to school and is feeling even more isolated. How can they feel more connected to the classroom and their friends?

If your child’s school starts to return gradually, your child may be anxious about being separated from their friends. Continue to reassure your child that schools will open again for everyone once it’s safe. When the official reopening of schools is announced, help them get ready to return to school by sharing information on when and how this will happen.

Letting your kids know ahead of time that schools may need to close again will help them to be prepared for the period of adjustment ahead. It’s also important to continue to remind them that learning can happen anywhere – at school and at home – and that they can also keep in touch with and support their friends online in the meantime

Safe and monitored use of online games, social media and video chat programs can provide great opportunities for children to connect with, learn and play with their friends, parents and relatives while at home. You could also encourage your children to use their voices online to share their views and support those in need during this crisis.

You can encourage your children to take advantage of digital tools that get them up and moving, like online exercise videos for kids and video games that require physical movement. Remember to balance online recreation with offline activities, including time outside, if possible.

How can I gently check in to see how my child is coping?

It’s important to be calm and proactive in your conversations with children – check in with them to see how they are doing. Their emotions will change regularly and you need to show them that’s okay.

Whether at school or at home, caregivers can engage children in creative activities, such as playing and drawing, to help them express and communicate any negative feelings they may be experiencing in a safe and supportive environment. This helps children find positive ways to express difficult feelings such as anger, fear or sadness.

As children often take their emotional cues from the key adults in their lives – including parents and teachers – it is important that adults manage their own emotions well and remain calm, listen to children’s concerns, speak kindly and reassure them.

Is there anything I should look out for as my child starts back at school?

In addition to checking in on your child’s physical health and learning when they go back to school, you should also keep an eye out for signs of stress and anxiety. COVID-19 may be impacting your child’s mental health, and it’s important to demonstrate that it’s normal and OK to feel overwhelmed at times. When in doubt, empathy and support are the way to go.

There have also been concerns that incidents of stigmatization and bullying may increase when children return to school, due to some of the misinformation around COVID-19. You should explain that the virus has nothing to do with what someone looks like, where they are from or what language they speak. If they have been called names or bullied at school, they should be encouraged to tell a trusted adult. Remind your children that everyone deserves to be safe at school and online. Bullying is always wrong and we should each do our part to spread kindness and support each other.

School Visits

My child is scared to go back to school. How can I help them feel at ease?

My child is not part of the same group as their close friends returning to school and is feeling even more isolated. How can they feel more connected to the classroom and their friends?

How can I gently check in to see how my child is coping?

Is there anything I should look out for as my child starts back at school?

The information above is taken from UNICEF. Check out their website for more information: www.unicef.org/coronavirus/support