Starting a new school year can be stressful enough, but add in a global pandemic and it can be anxiety-inducing for any student. As unprecedented times become the new normal, the current state of COVID-19 continues to affect everyday life, especially school. If your child is struggling with anxiety surrounding returning to the classroom amidst COVID-19, there are some tips and precautions you can put in place to alleviate some of their worry and prepare as best you can for a safe and healthy school year.
Listen to Their Fears and Worries
For students with anxiety, it can be easy to try and alleviate their worries by saying things like, “it will be fine!” or “you have nothing to worry about!” But in reality, listening to your child and letting them know that their concerns are valid is much more helpful.
By providing support and letting them know it’s safe to share their concerns, you’ll be able to identify and address any issues that arise. Continue to check in with your child and communicate openly, and remember that they are listening to you, too. If you exude a positive outlook and make them feel confident that you are doing everything in your power to keep them safe and healthy when returning to the classroom, you can instill confidence in them that may help alleviate some back-to-school anxiety surrounding COVID-19.
Stay Up to Date with the Latest COVID-19 News and Guidelines
Knowledge is power, and keeping your family in the loop about the latest guidelines and recommended precautions is the best way to prepare students with anxiety to stay well-equipped for a healthy and successful school year.
Remain aware of any specific guidelines your child’s school district has in place. You can also follow updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Make sure to relay any important information or precautions to your child to help alleviate anxiety about the unknown, manage expectations, and better prepare them for returning to the classroom.
Consider an Alternative School That Is Well-Equipped to Help Students with Anxiety
Education Alternatives provides a safe space for students with anxiety, thanks to the combination of education and mental health programming that gives students a structured, empathetic learning environment.
At our school for students with anxiety, with an average class size of ten students, and an average school size of 60 students, Education Alternatives prioritizes keeping students and staff healthy, and makes sure students’ emotional needs are met. So if your child is struggling with the idea of returning to the classroom during COVID-19, consider a school for students with anxiety to provide a little extra support that they need this school year.
Contact Our School for Students with Anxiety
For more information about how Education Alternatives can help students with anxiety during COVID-19, contact us today to learn more. We’ll be happy to help.