Helping students ride the coronacoaster Thursday 9 July 2020 “Coronacoaster – When your emotions are on a rollercoaster due to all of the news about the coronavirus” Urban Dictionary definition Six months ago coronavirus was barely in our thoughts; it was something happening the other side of the world. We could never have predicted the highs and lows, the twists and turns, of the ride we were about to take on the coronacoaster. What happens now? In late March, when schools closed to most pupils and the government issued its ‘stay at home’ instruction, we found ourselves in uncertain times, with no road map to help us find the way forward. Uncertainty is one of the root causes of anxiety, especially for children. We like to be sure what lies ahead – even if it’s not good news. At GSAL, together with colleagues at the Oakdale Centre in Harrogate, we have been there for pupils and their families throughout the lockdown months, in person (albeit online or on the phone) and by signposting families to a wealth of online resources. We are acutely aware that resilience is wearing thin for many families, after three months of lockdown with many children not due in school until September. The long summer holiday is an opportunity for parents to prepare children for returning to school after months away from their usual routine. In the last week of term, we invited parents to a webinar delivered by Dr Caroline Falconer, consultant clinical psychologist at the Oakdale Centre. Caroline reassured parents that it’s only natural for children to feel anxious about going back to school; they are out of the habit of human connectedness and face a drastically changed social landscape. Readiness for school Caroline pinpointed the changes in mood and behaviour that may indicate underlying anxiety in children. Key to helping the anxious child is ‘name it to tame it’ – studies show that families who talk about their feelings help children develop emotional resilience. As well as acknowledging worries and offering comfort, starting to embed routine and structure during the summer months will stand you in good stead come September. Spending months away from the outside world with limited social contact would knock the confidence of the most resilient. Now we’re preparing to reintegrate into our normal lives, we can promote children’s wellbeing by encouraging healthy habits (sleep, food and exercise) and providing them with a sense of purpose. This could be through taking on responsibilities at home or trying new things. Fundamentally, children need to feel secure about their present and future so that they feel motivated to face the world again. Strong relationships, which have suffered during lockdown, underpin this positivity. Children of all ages may need encouragement to get out and socialise again. Acknowledge their fears about the risk of catching the virus, establish clear family rules about physical distancing so they feel safe, and help organise their social diary if they will let you! A fresh ticket on the coronacoaster Adjusting to life as we know it will be a marathon not a sprint. After so long away from the classroom, even with online teaching in place, we must be sure of our children’s wellbeing before we can expect them to learn effectively. That won’t happen overnight; instead we must see every day as a new day, a clean slate, a fresh ticket on the coronacoaster!
