Returning to School
September can feel like a new year, as children return to a new school year. The changes that follow and setting up new routines, and expectations can create a variety of feelings. This blog covers many ways guardians can make the transition of going back to school easier for children – though a lot of the tips can benefit all individuals.
The tips below, focus on children’s mental health! Mental health correlates with children’s success in school.
We at Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Inc. try to build an environment where all clients feel safe to communicate how they feel. We encourage guardians to create a safe space for communication for their kids to express their feelings (good or bad) to them too. Guardians can create a safe space by ensuring the child knows they are being heard, acknowledging all feelings are valid, and showing compassion towards those feelings. Creating this safe space allows for conversation about feelings, as well as any stressors that might occur in the child’s life. This open communication lets children know they don’t need to carry their struggles on their own.
Children pick up on things occurring around them very quickly, so as the household routines change, guardians need to show that changes can be exciting and exhibit healthy coping mechanisms for stress. Such as expressing stress and nervousness through words.
Another example of a healthy coping mechanism is routines, routines can help reduce stress and anxiety. Children and guardians can run through what a school day will look like: What time you will wake up, how to get to and from school, what time you will do homework, what time you will have meals, what time you will go to bed etc.
o Here at Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Inc., we are promoting health for mind body and soul. So, when creating a routine, we encourage guardians to create a routine that helps ensures everyone gets a proper diet and a proper number of hours of sleep. We have a Naturopath Doctor Newry on our team who can also assist in creating a healthy meal plan.
o Days might start to get busy, but it’s still important to make time for self-care in one’s routine– self-care will look different for each child, but it is important to make time to do activities an individual enjoys!
You have resources! Children spend a good portion of their days at school and with their teachers. If you feel necessary, communicate with your child’s teacher to get advice on how you can best support them. Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Inc. is also a great resource. We offer parenting therapy to help guardians best support their children. Charmin and Jovita would be excellent fits for parenting therapy.
o Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Inc. offer Child Therapy as well, where therapists using different modalities such as Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy etc., can help children identify, express, and deal with life events and different feelings
For more information please do not hesitate to call, Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Inc. at 647-267-9853.
References
Ferguson, S. (2021). Back to School: 9 Ways to Support Children's Mental Health. Unicef USA. From https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/back-school-9-ways-support-childrens-mental-health/38857
Kids’ Minds Matter (n.d.) Mental Health Monday’s – Back to School: Tips to Help Children’s Mental Health. From https://kidsmindsmatter.com/tips-for-back-to-school-childrens-mental-health/
Vigolotti, A. (2021). How to Support Children at the Start of This School Year. Psychology Today From https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-now/202109/how-support-children-the-start-school-year