BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER LOCKDOWN

1. BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER LOCKDOWN – TIPS FROM AN NHS PSYCHOLOGIST DEALING WITH WORRY AND ANXIETY If you know your child might have a hard time going back to school, try developing a toolkit of things they can do when they are worried at school. This can include a song to sing to themselves, visualizing a quiet place, affirmation cards, practicing breathing techniques, and identifying safe personnel they can tell. You can make this box together and the child can take some pieces with him to school. TELL YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS Let children know that it is likely that other families have been affected by the virus (whether they are key working parents who work hard or family bereavements). Encourage your child to be patient and kind to other children. Talk to them about what they should still be doing - not kissing friends, washing their hands often, not sharing food or toys, etc. For all children with special educational needs, they may need accommodations. This can include visiting the school while it is empty to familiarize them with the space, a video call with their teacher, or a more gradual feedback than other students - which is best for them. MANAGE EXPECTATIONS When the time comes, you will feel less stressed if you know there will be bumps in the road. Set aside enough space and time in a new schedule for any issues so that you don't have to deal with too many requests (i.e. organizing group dinners in advance, don't agree to activities or, if possible, adopt flexible working hours). Try to notice if you are feeling anxious about going back to school in any way and if so, spend some time thinking about it and removing it. If children find out about your anxieties, they may also feel anxious. DEALING WITH WORRY AND ANXIETY If you know your child might have a hard time going back to school, try developing a tool kit that they can do when they are worried at school. This can include a song to sing to themselves, visualizing a quiet place, affirmation cards, practicing breathing techniques, and identifying safe staff they can tell. You can make this box together and the child can take some pieces with him to school. TELL YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS Let children know that it is likely that other families have been affected by the virus (whether they are active, hard-working parents or family bereavement). Encourage your child to be patient and kind to other children. Talk to them about what they should still be doing - not kissing friends, washing their hands often, not sharing food or toys, etc.

2. For all children with special educational needs, they may need accommodation. This could include visiting the school when it is empty to familiarize them with the space, a video call with their teacher, or a more gradual feedback than other students - which is best for them.