Although school has started for most students in North America, the routines are still taking some time to take form given all the added safety protocols for COVID-19. Parents, teachers, and students are all putting on a brave face (albeit under a mask!) to face these new challenges and emotions. There are many articles and posts that talk about how to handle the back to school jitters in this uncertain context. You can find some of these in the resource section. This article, however, will simply identify some of the common emotions that people might be feeling.
- Fear of getting sick – Many children might be scared to get sick. It is important for them to know what to do if they have symptoms.
- Fear of making someone else sick – Many youth may be afraid of making those close to them sick.
- Worries about falling behind – Given that many students have missed several months of school, it’s important to reassure them that their teachers and other school professionals will be available to help them do well.
- Frustration surrounding new protocols – As the school year progresses, fatigue surrounding protocols will likely increase. It’s important to reassure and remind students that the protocols are implemented for their safety. Frustration surrounding bubbles, frequent hand washing, and mask wearing is likely to occur.
- Relief or happiness to be reconnecting with friends – Back to school is not all bad! Many students have missed their teachers and friends. It’s important that we talk about the positives as well as the negatives.
These are only some of the emotions that students, parents, or school professionals might be feeling. The first step to coping is recognizing that it is normal to have mixed emotions about the return to school during COVID-19. Normalizing these feelings can in itself reduce some of the anxiety that people may be having. Children and adolescents might find it surprising, but also validating to hear that the adults in their lives also have concerns. It’s important to give them space and time to ask questions that they might have about the virus and to express their feelings. As adults, we cannot guarantee their safety, but we can provide support, reassurance, and validation.
The following are resources for parents and guardians who are supporting their children with the back to school transition:
Leading Our Kids Back to School – Deborah MacNamara – ***The main theme of this talk is how adults can make children and teens feel secure in their return to school, even if we cannot guarantee safety.
CHEO – Tips for Parents for Back to School – includes a basic fact sheet about COVID-19 and tips regarding routines.
COVID resources for children, youth, and young adults – Government of Canada – basic information and guidelines regarding COVID-19 safety.
Healthy Learning MTL 