Back to the Classroom: A Game Plan for Reducing Anxiety

Pandemic parenting and pandemic education have been stressful for both parents and children. Even more, this year’s back to school is occurring amid a Covid 19 delta variant. How are parents and children coping with the anxiety?

Back-to-school preparations were very different this year for students. Worries from returning to in-person learning mixed with the emotions of fun school activities are on the minds of young students everywhere.

Aside from the butterflies that most students get in anticipation of the first day of school, they now also worry about contracting coronavirus variants.

After being out of school since last year, 10-year-old 5th grader Elijah Irvin and 7-year-old 2nd grader Jasmine Irvin from Cape Coral, Florida are coping with such feelings.

"Home school was pretty good, but going back to school, I get to do a lot of fun stuff like P.E. and recess. I wash my hands and wear my mask when I'm told,” says Elijah.

Returning to school will be “Great! Good! Really good. We have hand sanitizers and water fountains we don’t have to touch,” says Jasmine. “But we have to wear masks, I’m kind of bummed,” she admits.

“As students prepare to return, they will be facing a host of intensified challenges,” said Anthious Boone, an elementary school principal in Pennsylvania. He cited mask-wearing and learning how to socialize with peers again as some of these challenges.

But parents can help prepare their children for what may be a tough transition back to the traditional classroom.

“As parents endeavor to help their children cope with potential back-to-school anxiety,” Boone said, “it is absolutely imperative that they stay well-connected with both the school and their children.”

Elijah’s and Jasmine’s parents, Lawrence and Della Irvin, try to communicate with their children often. When discussing going back to school, Lawrence says, “We were nervous about it. We prayed about it to make the best decision for our kids. We felt that in terms of how our lives are and how they benefit from school, that would benefit them.”

Della says, “to be honest, cautious is the best way to describe it. Every child is different, every circumstance is different. We train them beforehand for best practices, washing their hands correctly, wearing their masks. We warn them that they can potentially face infections. We tell them that if there is another surge, we would pull them out of school to value the sanctity of life.”

What has especially been a helpful resource for many parents, including the Irvin family, is jw.org, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses that is free to all. “The keeping your hands clean whiteboard was enjoyable for the children and they were able to benefit from it,” says Lawrence. In fact many families have found the whiteboard animation video, Virus Outbreaks–What You Can Do, and the article, “Protect Your Family from the Flu,” to be very effective in teaching the importance of personal safety.

Although the pandemic has drastically adjusted the norms at schools, what does not change is that students will adapt to challenges and continue learning.

Back-to-school supplies were a bit different this year for 12-year-old Audrey Pan.

Along with a day planner, an array of pens and a thick notebook, Audrey added face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

“I’m not sure how it’s going to completely work,” said Audrey of her middle school in Hacienda Heights, California. “How many kids are going to be in each classroom? Are we going to have a table where we sit together?”

Audrey, like many across the country, spent the last school year in a virtual classroom interacting with other students and teachers via only a computer screen. Going back to in-person learning with potential restrictions only added to her anxiety.

Audrey’s parents, John and Michelle Pan, freely email teachers with questions and regularly talk with Audrey about her day. They also designate every Saturday afternoon as family time. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, they look for practical Bible-based advice to help with any issues or concerns.

“We review how to display Christian qualities such as love and patience and have role-playing sessions to listen to how Audrey would react to stressful or dangerous situations,” said John. “This has helped Audrey feel confident about returning to school.”

While coronavirus variants have stoked pandemic anxieties, the Pans have endeavored not to overlook other challenges their daughter may face.

The Pan family also takes advantage of one of their favorite resources, jw.org. Topics like “What’s a Real Friend?” and “Beat a Bully Without Using Your Fists” are addressed in a video series for young people that Audrey recommends to everyone.

“The website has some really cool information that has helped me prepare for back to school,” she said. “I think it can really benefit any student who is nervous about going back. They should really check it out!”