Maintaining the social and emotional health of our children

 

As the summer draws closer to an end, it is time to start thinking about the new school year. For children, late August is usually filled with the excitement of new clothes and backpacks, show-and-tell of their summer adventures, and seeing old friends after a few months away from the routine. This September might look and feel a bit different, and it is important to make sure our kids are prepared. Since things are not yet “back-to-normal” and with everyone thinking about how returning to school will go, it is important to start off prepared and positive. Maintaining social and emotional health will be the focus for many schools and educators this fall, as children need to feel confident that home and school will remain safe places to grow.

It is no wonder that kids are being affected in various ways and may feel reluctant to go back to school. While the well-being of our children should always be a priority, meeting their needs surrounding any uncertainty they feel is essential, now more than ever. Social and emotional health primarily comes from the capacity to form secure relationships, to explore and learn about your surroundings, and the ability to experience and regulate one’s emotions.

There have been changes to both school and home routines, missed significant celebrations, and the overall decline in the feeling of security within the past 18 months. Many young people are facing challenges that can be stressful and overwhelming. Families may have lost loved ones, parents may have lost jobs, and children may have taken on new responsibilities. Masks are becoming more prevalent again and distancing measures may be back in place when they return to class. There may also be a longer catch-up period for facts and skills due to the significant time spent away from the classroom. Activities may be restructured or cancelled completely. These changes can all cause anxiety and fear, both of which can be damaging to the natural healthy development of a child’s mental growth.

To aid in all of this, it is imperative that parents, educators, and academic institutions work together to set up a more organized and well-thought-out plan for what school will look like. Remediation put in place to keep children at ease during this time is not only smart, but a must. At school, Guidance Counselors, coaches, and teachers should be readily available to remind them that they are in a safe place, and that they are free to ask questions and to feel supported, seen and heard. Routines and familiarity are helpful during the school day. Children need the social interaction from their peers and to laugh, play, and explore the world around them. The integration of art, music, gym, and literature supports the necessary growth of children and adolescents, as well.

A stable home life where healthy diets and solid bed/ wake up times are kept help children stay in control of their days. Extracurricular activities like drama, sports, dance, and clubs are also beneficial. Monitoring what children read or hear on the news and on social media is a helpful way to cut down on any feelings of insecurity they may be facing. Taking some restorative time for reading, cooking, playing outside or working on a project together are all enjoyable and productive ways to fill weekends and evenings. Encourage children to draw, write in a journal, compose a song, exercise, do yoga or rest when needed. They will feel empowered for being able to make good choices for themselves.

While not an easy road to navigate, kids are looking to us for extra guidance and care as they see, hear, and understand the world around them. As the pandemic has weighed heavily on all of us, remember to keep open communication with your children and students. Younger children may not know how to talk about their feelings and older ones may try to hide their emotions. Signs that they may need some extra help will look different depending on the child. Validate their feelings and explain that even adults may be feeling the same ways. Pediatricians or other medical professionals are also solid resources if ever a challenge comes along that needs extra attention. Having stable, trusted adult role models around to assist, listen and set steady routines will help children build resiliency. While not always an easy feat, the youngest members of our society will need our guidance to persevere through this time and to maintain positive social and emotional health.