As life returns to “Normal”-The Social, Cognitive and Emotional Implications

The words many New Jerseyans and others around the country have all been eagerly awaiting, “Students can begin to return to school” have been spoken. Not immediately but over the next month, more students are expected to transition from remote learning to in school education. There have been temporary returns for some, hybrid models for others and complete virtual learning for students. Now it appears the time has come for the doors to re-open and students will be returning to in class learning. How can you prepare your children and yourself for this next round of change?
It seems obvious that the students who have spent the most time learning remotely are likely to experience the greatest challenge with the transition. They have established new routines which may include sleeping later, eating while attending the first class, attending classes on the couch, and having additional time in the afternoon to complete homework assignments. For those students who were on a hybrid or total remote schedule, they did not have to leave the house at least a couple of days per week. Now, they need to get up and out five days in a row. The pressure of getting up, eating breakfast, getting dressed and having all their personal items ready to catch the bus on time may be stressful as that is not their current routine.
Being back in school will also increase the attentional demands of students. Many of the students that I work with admit to watching videos during zooms/google meetups and completing assignments for one class while in another. Let’s be honest, it is a real challenge for some students to stay focused when they are not directly under the supervision of their teacher or parent. Now they will be back in the classroom and be required to stay focused on the content being presented. Homework assigned will also need to be completed at home, extending the length of their school day. Students will need to adjust their schedules as they may be used to having more free time. Parents may notice increased fatigue and/or irritability as their children adjust to the new (old) demands.
Many students may have felt socially isolated during the pandemic so the increased interaction will be a positive change. However, students may also be out of practice with their social interaction and “conflict resolution skills.” I have had a few students tell me “I think I forgot how to talk to people.” This is a real concern. For younger students, the year out of school or limited time in school may have reduced their ability to develop these skills. Increased difficulty making friends and conflicts can result in elevated stress levels in the students and eventual loss of friends, leading back to feelings of social isolation.
At the same time students are adjusting, parents will likely experience similar challenges. Many adults have had to work from home and manage the demands of being mom/dad, employee, and teacher. Now parents need to help their children adjust to a new schedule and demands while continuing to manage their own. Jobs may have been lost or responsibilities may have changed, increasing the stress level of many parents. Many people, both children and adults, are concerned about the risk of catching Covid-19 as they begin to return to school and work. All these increased stressors can increase the challenges related to transitioning back to school.
Following are some suggestions to help make this next transition as successful and stress free as possible:
1. Create written schedules for morning routines so that expectations are clear. Include wake time, breakfast, dressing, departure time, etc.
2. Help your child prepare their backpack, lunch, clothes, etc. the night before to decrease demands in the morning.
3. Create an afternoon schedule to develop a homework routine.
A. If you have younger children, have them create a clock with colored time slots for each of their subjects as well as breaks.
B. Timers are great tools. If your child has difficulty working independently, you can set a timer and let them know that when the timer goes off, they get a break. You can also set the timer as reminder for your child to start or return to work.
C. Have your child take out only one subject of information at a time. Having too many books and papers spread out can lead to confusion and frustration.
D. Review study strategies and modify/develop new strategies as needed.
4. Review your child’s day with them daily after school so you can keep a pulse on how they are doing and if any challenges have arisen. Consult with their teachers as needed.
5. Watch for increased signs of stress in your child. This is another change for everyone, and some children may have a more difficult time than others re-adjusting to the return to school.
6. Engage in stress relieving activities as a family. Tai Chi, yoga, meditation are a few examples.
7. Perform safe, daily exercise. Physical exercise is important for physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
8. Go outside in a natural environment, continuing to practice social distancing. Being in nature for only 5 minutes can increase feelings of calm and decrease depression, anxiety, and fear.
9. Stay hydrated and monitor sugar intake. Sugar causes inflammation and inflammation causes brain fog.
10. Monitor sleep habits. Lack of sleep reduces the immune system and interferes with attention/concentration and other cognitive functions.

If you would like to discuss specific ways to assist your child or yourself as we enter this new phase, please contact me at doreen@thecognitivecoach.net or 732-977-7381.


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328 Ace Drive Wall
Township, NJ 07719

doreen@thecognitivecoach.net
(732) 977-7381

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