Supporting Student Well-being for the Return to School
As part of our ongoing work to assist families and students during the transition back to school in September 2020, we provided a variety of resources to help families prioritize and support student mental health and well-being.
Even at the best of times, some children have more trouble than other children when it comes to going to school. These resources include information that will help parents and caregivers understand more about the nature of anxiety and the problem with avoiding scary things.
As always, we wanted parents and caregivers to know that they are not alone when it comes to helping children with the return to school. When needed, educators and school board staff members from psychology and social work can always connect with caregivers and parents to help children overcome fears about things such as going to school.
Caregivers’ Guide to Setting the Stage for Return to School
The Caregivers’ Guide to Setting the Stage for Return to School, compiled by WRDSB Psychological Services, is designed to help caregivers support and communicate with their children in ways that help them feel calm and secure as they return to school.
While some of these suggestions were particularly helpful in setting the stage for the “return-to-school” phase, they also reflect strategies that can be helpful on an ongoing basis. For example, parents and caregivers were provided information about the cycle of anxiety and school avoidance, as well as how the words we use may lower or increase anxiety.
Five Minutes to Wellbeing in Five Weeks
The Five in Five resources, created by WRDSB Psychological Services, were designed to offer parents and caregivers a guide to incorporating everyday practices that can contribute to overall well-being. This resource was created for students in Grade 4 or above, but younger students can also benefit with assistance from adults.
Are You Ready to Go Back to School?
The Are You Ready to Go Back to School guide from WRDSB Psychological Services offered some questions and suggestions for students and families to consider prior to the return to school in September 2020. Shifting from the freedom of summer to the school routine is often difficult. But this year was especially hard because we had been away from school for such a long time.
