Back to school may not be child’s play

Kids will have mixed feelings about heading back to school, an expert says, and teachers should be closely watching how they re-adapt to life after lockdown.

“Some children will be so excited about the restart of school they won’t sleep the night before,” clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire said.

“Others may experience anxiety upon return or grief that lockdown and family time has ended.

“Conversely, some children may return indifferent, as if the last six weeks didn’t occur.”

She said research showed children needed to be calm to learn, and if students were experiencing anxiety, teachers could help by keeping classrooms quiet.

“It is also important teachers are aware of their own emotional responses as they return to school,” she said.

“Emotions are contagious, and while it is understandable some may be anxious, we don’t want this imposed on children. It would be helpful for schools to encourage peer support and professional supervision if required.

“Teacher self-care should be actively promoted, and activities like mindfulness could be undertaken during class time to benefit the teacher and students.”

Lessons from the Christchurch earthquakes would also advise schools to set realistic expectations, actively building in time for psychological transition rather than expecting an automatic return to

Some children will be so excited about the restart they won’t sleep the night before.

Jacqui Maguire

routine, she added. “While we might be anxious to ensure our students don’t academically suffer as a result of Covid-19, initial focus on emotional wellbeing will, in the long run, equal a faster return to optimal learning conditions.

“After all, 2020 is not a usual academic year for students or teachers.

“And when we are faced with the unusual, we have to flex and adapt to move forward well.”