Helping Your Child Return To the Classroom
July 22, 2021
While some aspects of school may still not be back to normal this next year, it may feel different for some kids who were remote since March 2020 and for others who may be experiencing feelings of anxiousness.
What can you look for as a parent or guardian, and how can you help your child transition back into the classroom?
Bryant Miller, LCMFT, RPT, of Prairie View says it's highly likely for students to come back to school with the full range of responses to COVID and summer stress. For many of them, school has been their safe place emotionally and physically.
"Kids are resilient," he says, "but it's safe to say that some children, especially those in remote or hybrid all of last year, may take a longer time to adjust to the structure that school provides and may need more time, understanding and space to acclimate. School is so much more structured than home (as it should be) and this takes getting used to."
Bryant says learning the Crucial C’s will help kids to process and reflect on the school environment, classroom environment and interactions.
The Crucial C's
In order to survive and flourish, according to Terry Kottman, PhD, RPT-S, NCC, LMHC, children must master each of the Crucial C's:
Courage. Even if they don't know exactly how to succeed, kids need the courage or willingness to face life's tasks and take healthy risks. If a child has courage, they are full of hope. They are resilient. They are willing to take risks and believe they can handle challenging situations.
Connect. As we've all learned recently, we need connection. Kids aren't any different in that respect. Those who connect with others feel secure, cooperate nicely, and can reach out and make friends. They feel they belong.
Capable. Those who feel capable have a sense of competence, self-control and self-discipline. They take responsibility for their behavior and believe they can accomplish anything they want.
Count. Children need to feel as if they're significant - that they count. If a child believes they count, they believe they can make a difference in the world. They feel valuable and valued, and they believe that they matter.
Where To Reach Out For Help
There are local and national resources available for you and your students.
Prairie View
800-992-6292
800-362-0180 (24-hour mental health crisis line)
www.prairieview.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-TALK (8255)
800-SUICIDE (784-2433
Crisis Text Line
741741
Trevor Project Lifeline (LGBTQIA)
866-273-8255
Deaf Hotline
800-799-4TTY (4889)
Call 911 for immediate assistance.