Homeschooling Logo

Supporting Youngsters' Psychological Well being Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 27, 2020
Homeschooling Blogs

There is a lot to fear at the moment. Adults feel it and children and teenagers feel it too. Not much research has been done on the mental health effects of adults or children during COVID-19, but organizations are unsurprisingly saying that anxiety is increasing. Regardless of whether you have a kindergarten teacher or a high school graduate, you may need to help resolve your concerns. Here's how:

Fight fear with facts

SOURCE: LiveScience

Some kids just need facts to feel a little better. One of the most reassuring aspects of this terrible pandemic is that children seem largely untouched, apart from the fact that they, as silent porters, pose a threat to vulnerable groups. Science Alert reports: “The number of reported COVID-19 cases in children remains low: Of more than 44,000 confirmed cases from China, only 416 (less than 1 percent) were nine years or younger. No deaths were reported in this age group. "

Revisit the fake news lessons

SOURCE: International Association of Library Associations

You can give them facts, but more importantly, you can equip them with the ability to distinguish truth from rumors on the Internet. The next time they get a Snapchat message that the city is closing, we want them to ask, "Who says?" and you can teach them that.

If you haven't taught Internet skills as a lesson yet, it may be time to do so regardless of age group. Discuss what news sources we trust and why. For older children, revisit the tracking links to ensure that the medical information is from a valid location. Younger children can learn how to find valid sources of strong information and how to gossip from the playground and listen to trusted adults for advice instead.

Don't pretend it doesn't happen

Mental health of children covid-19

SOURCE: I time therapy

When I was researching what children need, one of my high school students said to me: "Talk about it, don't avoid it. Explain what happens and what it means for us because a lot of fear comes from a lack of knowledge."

Pretending that there is no pandemic is harmful to children who are anxious and nervous looking for answers. Set a timer if necessary, let the kids discuss concerns and then continue with the scheduled content. If you are already learning virtually, consider a discussion forum, group chat, or other means of communication where children can chat about developments. This keeps it under your supervision and can also help you bleed. Parents can encourage children to communicate with their siblings and friends about their feelings and with trusted adults.

Don't let virtual learning increase fear

Mental health of children covid-19

SOURCE: Emily W. King

It is the first time that both children and teachers are learning virtually. Do not be the teacher who overloads you with three times the work that you are personally used to. Children need a clear overview, meaningful deadlines and uncomplicated steps to access technology and be successful. This is not the time to start a new project with a million levels or a complex new task, if at all possible.

Remind your children of due dates more than normal. Parents can help students break virtual learning into concrete steps, often using the same methods as in personal school: encouraging the use of a planner or other organizational system, communicating with teachers or helping their students, and working on time management with your child.

Promote virtual connections

Mental health of children covid-19

SOURCE: Mom's bundle

Just because children are stuck at home does not mean that they have to lose their social connection. Some classes host virtual replay or hangouts in Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts. Parents and teachers can organize them for groups of children, from the game date to the intermediate level. Students can meet alone to simulate what they would do for group projects at school. Some preschools have virtually held “Show and Tell”.

Providing a prompt or reason for a meeting can help instead of just "having a meeting". Teachers and parents can host these meetings or help get things going. Parents who are unable to participate in their typical social groups can host a lunch for the children to meet in a virtual meeting app.

Be vigilant about the red flags of mental health

Mental health of children covid-19

SOURCE: National Alliance for Mental Illness

Think more than ever of your entire mental health training. Develop opportunities for your children to express their thoughts and concerns. Check out your vulnerable children or those you know who have previously had mental health problems. This could be simple: a postcard in the mail, an email, a call home. You may be the only person who checks your mental health when parents tackle major problems. Continue to report important concerns and red flags to your headmaster or district. Children miss you, their counselors, and their friends as support systems.

More resources to support children's mental health during COVID-19

Do you know of other resources to support child mental health during COVID-19? Please send us an email to resources@weareteachers.com.

The teacher's mental health is also maintained during the pandemic.

Related Posts

crossmenu