Politics & Government
Town Of Fairfax: Preparing Kids For Returning To School
The beginning of a new school year brings excitement, anticipation and sometimes anxiety, especially in these uncertain times. Here are ...
August 13, 2021
The beginning of a new school year brings excitement, anticipation and sometimes anxiety, especially in these uncertain times. Here are some tips from Marin Behavioral Health and Recovery Services to manage back to school anxiety:
Find out what's happening in San Anselmo-Fairfaxfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
-
Listen to worries. Listen to your kids when they express anxiety about the new school year, acknowledge and validate their feelings and demonstrate confidence that they can handle the situation
-
Be excited and mindful of your own feelings. Younger children base their feelings on the emotions of those around them. If they see parents/care takers being nervous about the school year, they will be nervous as well. And if parents act excited, these feelings will help children look at going back to school in a positive light. It is important that you are mindful of your own feelings to make sure positive feelings are what is passed on to your kids.
Find out what's happening in San Anselmo-Fairfaxfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Practice routines. The pandemic has impacted our daily routines significantly. It can be very helpful to set up a school routine which will help your kids understand the day-to day schedule and become more familiar with the rules.
Communication. Regardless of the age of your children, communication with staff members is important to give your child the support they need, whether it is virtual or in-person learning. Don’t forget to talk to your child too about how you can best support them during this period.
Make an effort to be present. As your child transitions back to school, it is important that you as a parent make every effort to be there for them. Schedule time to do activities that your child enjoys after school and take your time to listen to them, to ask them what they liked and if they have any questions.
Know when to get outside help. You know your child best. If you sense that your kid is experiencing anxiety that may be rooted in something more serious, talk with your child’s teacher, the school counselor and our Access Team at 1-888-818-1115. This team will refer you to the appropriate professionals and support.
If you are interested in learning more about how to care for yourself and those you love in this uncertain time, please visit Crushing the Curve, a website for parents and teens with resources on staying healthy, managing anxiety and practicing self-care during COVID-19.
This press release was produced by the Town of Fairfax. The views expressed here are the author’s own.