2021 is a back-to-school like no other! As the promise of “normality” for kids and families is on the horizon, as we get back to the regular routine of school, kids and their families are feeling a mix of excitement and worry. It’s been a LONG time since many kids have had a regular school week and remembering the how of the routine seems like ages ago! Some kids are ready to jump back in and others are dreading returning to school. So, before we dive into how to prepare children and teens for back to school, let's talk about the behavior signs of stress and anxiety we should look out for.
Look for visible behavioral signs of stress. Remember, kids SHOW you when they are stressed, they don’t have the exact words to explain their body sensations, thoughts and feelings.
Look for theses behavioral signs of anxiety:
Every parent should understand what are the signs and symptoms of anxiety because they aren’t what we think and it really can creep up on kids and then become a crisis. The good news is that there are many natural and effective solutions for anxiety.
Your kiddo has their cool new threads and kicks but have you mentally prepared them to return to school is the question every parent should be asking. Kids of all ages have been affected by this global pandemic and even if you think your kid hasn’t, they are walking into classrooms with kids who are stressed out!
So how do you mentally prepare your kids to return to school? Here are five steps:
For teens, the biggest hurdle is getting their sleep back on track. You may be thinking, “Climbing Mount Everest is easier!” but let’s break it down so they don’t give you as much push back!
If you are worried about your child’s mental health, let the teacher and/or school support staff know. If you are concerned, then there's a problem. Period. And a little TLC can really help your child in so many ways. Remember, no one ever regrets getting help, they only regret it when they don’t! Come prepared with solutions and an open mind.
There will definitely be kids on either extreme who fear infection and others who don’t want to follow safety rules. Regardless of where parents stand, if they are sending their kids back to school, they need to support the rules of the school to help your child re-enter school, so reviewing them in advance and discussing ways to empower your child is very important.
I always like to talk about with my kids how they can boost their own immune system and combat stress because that gives them concrete ways to be in control in a time when everything feels so out of control.
I often talk about how to help kids with anxiety and you can check out some of my favorite podcasts to learn more about how you can empower kids to talk back to their anxiety.
Dr. Roseann and her team are all about solutions, so you are in the right place!
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You can get her books for parents and professionals, including: It’s Gonna Be OK™: Proven Ways to Improve Your Child’s Mental Health, Teletherapy Toolkit™ and Brain Under Attack: A Resource For Parents and Caregivers of Children With PANS, PANDAS, and Autoimmune Encephalopathy.
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Sign up for her Professional Webinars and CE-Based Courses or purchase her book, Teletherapy Toolkit™: Therapist Handbook for Treating Children and Teens.
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Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including, CBS, NBC, FOX News, PIX11 NYC, The New York Times, The Washington Post,, Business Insider, USA Today, CNET, Marth Stewart, and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.” She is the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge. Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner, a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS), Certified Integrative Medicine Mental Health Provider (CMHIMP) and an Amen Clinic Certified Brain Health Coach. She is also a member of The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The American Psychological Association (APA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) and The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB).
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