Navigating new schools, teachers or classrooms can cause anxiety in children.
Although this anxiety is expected, it should not be ignored.
Also, it may not always be obvious that your child is struggling, says Dr Cathelijn Zeijlemaker, family physician and director of Netcare’s Primary Care division.
“Smaller children may not know how to verbalise their feelings. Parents should be on the lookout for signals from their children which could indicate discomfort or anxiety,” she recommends.
“A check-up with the family doctor at the beginning of the school year can help set parents’ minds at ease and distinguish any medical concerns that need to be addressed.
“In addition, children’s anxiety can often be helped by explaining to them that many other children will be feeling the same way,” she says.
Further advice from Zeijlemaker is:
- Children who eat a nutritious breakfast, containing protein, perform better as they have more concentration and energy.
- Make sure your children’s vaccinations are up to date and ensure they have any medication, like asthma pumps, they may need at school. Also, make sure the class teacher knows about any medical conditions they have and how to manage them.
- Children quickly feel judged, lectured or punished and will therefore avoid talking about touchy subjects. Create an environment where you can listen uninterrupted, without judging.
- Engage with your child’s use of social media and ensure they use it safely in an age-appropriate manner. Be aware of online bullying or children using social media sites in a way that is not suitable for their age.
- A good night’s rest helps to enable concentration while children are at their desks. To ensure quality sleep parents should consider encouraging good sleep routine, like a set time for bed and limiting screen time in the evenings.
- If you suspect your child may have learning challenges, schedule an appointment with their school to see what they can do to help and get advice on how best you can help your child.
- Potential problems can sometimes be signalled by a change in the child’s appetite, weight or sleeping habits. Get children to the services of experts like occupational therapists, paediatricians or educational psychologists where needed.
- Angela Morisse, acting clinical manager and occupational therapist at Netcare, shares practical strategies to support children during this period of adjustment, emphasising the importance of seamlessly reintegrating school life into daily routines.
- Set clear tasks, but keep it visual and fun
- Make a visual chart with specific tasks and have a space to tick off each task when it has been completed. These could include going to sleep and waking up at the right time, meal and snack times, brushing teeth, tidying their room, packing their bag for the next day and any chores they need to do. This can be adapted when new tasks such as homework, projects, and after-school activities are added.
Have a bedtime routine
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine aids children in adjusting to a regular sleep schedule. This can include brushing their teeth, putting their electronic devices away at least 30 minutes before bedtime, and doing an age-appropriate calming activity such as reading, colouring in, or journalling.
Provide emotional support
To help children with the emotional demands of starting school again you could have a morning check-in where everyone says what emotion they are feeling. Once again, a visual chart can help younger children to express themselves better. This will allow you to keep track of your child’s emotions around school and help prompt a conversation when they pick emotions like feeling sad, scared, or angry.
Teach children to care for their physical health
Encourage children to take a break and enjoy fresh air by playing outside before starting their homework. Remember that as a child, their main occupation is play.
“Help your children implement their routine and keep track of their homework, but don’t do it for them,” says Morisse.
“You are helping them build the habits they will need to foster future independence. Avoid doing everything for them, and rather promote self-reliance based on their age.”
Do not forget to help your child by having a positive attitude towards their return to school. But, if you have any concerns about how your child is coping at school, seek professional advice as soon as possible.
