Back to School Tips for Parents and Teachers to Safeguard Children’s Wellbeing
Six things parents need to know about starting school with vulnerable children
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Every child faces challenge when heading back to school. But back-to-school time can be exceptionally difficult for the 20 percent of children who suffer from a mental health or learning disorder.
The school environment demands many things that summer activities don’t — the ability to sit still; get organized; stay on task; and adapt to a new, highly structured daily schedule. School also requires kids to separate from their parents and interact with peers — enormously challenging tasks for any child with anxiety.
According to the American Psychology Association, here are six things parents need to know about starting school with vulnerable children:
1. Mental health problems emerge at back-to-school time
Children with special needs require a lot of help learning how to manage a new schedule. As a parent, you can ease your child’s anxiety by modeling confidence and calm behavior, and by imposing structure in family life (mealtime, homework, and bedtime routines).
If your child shows signs of extreme anxiety and has unusual difficulties in school, you should immediately discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher as well as a mental health professional, someone who can advise on whether a child’s problems are normal and age appropriate or require further evaluation.
2. Kids’ brains are changing dramatically
Profound changes occur in the brains of children, particularly as they enter their teens. The teen brain starts “pruning”—strengthening some synapses and eliminating many others. A temporary imbalance of this pruning in certain areas of the brain has been linked to teens’ erratic and risky behaviors, as well as the onset of anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse.
It’s important to keep communication open at this vulnerable time, when teenagers are starting to look like adults, and think they are adults, but may not have the skills to manage stress. If you haven’t already started setting time aside each day to talk to your child about challenges and new experiences at school, now is the perfect moment.
3. Anxious parents send anxious kids to school
Anxiety disorders run in families. Plus, anxious people tend to marry other anxious people; children with two anxious parents are at especially high risk. But genetics are just one factor. Environment is another. Kids really are like sponges, absorbing the energy and adopting the behaviors around them.
One of the most helpful things you can do is model calm, confident behavior, particularly while helping a child get ready for school. A child usually starts school no calmer than her least-relaxed parent.
4. Teachers matter, maybe even more than you think
Teachers get to know a child’s family through the child’s eyes, and they get to know how a child behaves without his parent present. This means parents can get all kinds of information about a child from his teacher—information about learning difficulties and peer problems as well as academic achievements and close friendships.
Teachers are allies, and you should talk to them regularly. Good questions to ask include: How is my child doing? Do you have any concerns about his social or academic skills? Do you think he needs my help with anything?
5. Homework time is crucial
Young children with learning difficulties, as well as those without any documented problems, can benefit from their parents’ involvement during homework time. Parents should set aside time for a structured “homework session” each evening.
A good routine might start like this: Create space on a desk to work; help him clean out his backpack; review the day’s assignments; and discuss the homework as well as any questions about it. You can observe your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses this way while also reinforcing good study habits. Be positive and encouraging.
6. Supporting children as a parent and as a teacher
For any transition, whether starting school for the first time or moving from one school year to another, good communication and understanding the needs of everyone involved is very important. Teachers should talk to parents and caregivers about the move into a new class, as this means parents can reinforce positive messages to children about their new school environment.
Parents need to listen to their children, giving them opportunities to discuss the return to school – what they are looking forward to as well as what they might be concerned about. This will be particularly important this year, and children should feel confident to express thoughts and feelings about school with their teacher and parents.
This should be an ongoing conversation after the school year has started so that if any issues arise during the first days and weeks, they can be discussed openly, and any persistent problems can be discussed with the school. School staff need to listen to parents and pupils during the transition process.
Before returning to school it is important that children are prepared
Parents can ensure this in practical ways, such as by buying and labelling school uniform, shoes and stationery so that their children have all the right equipment before they start.
Teachers are responsible for making sure children are comfortable in their new surroundings and are able to develop meaningful relationships and communicate effectively. When schools return, learners may not have been in school education for some time.
It would be useful for teachers to provide extra guidance and support to new learners in their new environment, to give an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the setting and develop a sense of belonging.
With the effects of the pandemic, it will be particularly important to allow children time and space in school to become more familiar with their new environment. Teachers should also make sure to provide opportunities for friendships to develop within the classroom environment.
