LANSING, Mich. — As states and districts unveil their plans for children going back to school, we’re here to help you with facts and reliable information. Alicia Nieves is looking at what parents can do right now to help their kids prepare for school again.
For parents preparing to start this school year with their children at home, remote learning. There are still concerns, especially with their children mentally and emotionally adapting to another semester distant, away from their schoolmates and teachers.
“I am a parent myself so I can relate to the anxiety.”
In addition to being a parent, Janine Domingues is a clinical Psychologist withthe Child Mind institute and knows from a psychologist’s perspective parents have very good reason to be concerned.
“For children or adolescents who were already prone to anxiety or social anxiety or depression, certainly this time as you are more isolated and can’t interact with others, it can heighten anxiety and depression symptoms.”
“What are the top warning signs that parents should look for to recognize if the isolation and social distancing is getting to their child?”
“Further isolation in their room, not getting out of bed, not engaging in activity that they normally would’ve engaged in, and honestly if they are expressing sadness everyday and in intense levels of that.”
“If a parent sees some of those warning signs what are some of the things they can do to help their child cope?”
“The number one step is reaching out for mental health services. Whether it is reaching out to a previous psychologist or therapist that you worked with or a new psychologist.
”Organizations like Child Mind provide telehealth services for children struggling mentally and emotionally right now and they even provide financial assistance for families concerned about affording this. Before it gets to the point where a child may need help, Domingues says there are steps parents can take now to help their child adjust better to this start of the school year at home.
“Really talking about it honestly so helping them understand that there might be another time where we are doing this at home. What were your concerns last time what worked well, what didn’t, what do you think you are going to be feeling?”
“It can feel very overwhelming and anxiety provoking but again it’s just taking one step at a time and talking through it.”
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