Children respond to stress in different ways. They can be more clingy, angry, agitated, or do things they normally don’t. Below are a few tips to help you and your child deal with stress that may be associated with back-to-school changes, the pandemic, or everyday life.
- Respond to your child’s reactions in a supportive way. Give them extra time and attention. Listen to their concerns, speak kindly, and reassure them.
- If your child is feeling anxious about returning to school, involve them in a plan to prepare for potential problems or concerns. For example, if they are worried about what will happen if they are at risk from one of their classmates getting COVID-19, talk about all of the ways the school is working to keep everyone safe. Also get their input on ideas to keep their environment feeling as normal as possible.
- If possible, create opportunities for the child to play and relax.
- Keep to regular routines and schedules as much as possible. You can also create new ones in new environments. Include school/learning and time for safely playing and relaxing. We encourage you to continue to make sure your efforts to maintain these routines are done in a safe, socially distanced way!
Behavioral health concerns (such as anxiety, depression, behavior problems, adjustment concerns) often arise in childhood and can impact a child/teen’s functioning. We have found that for some patients these concerns have been amplified due to the pandemic this year. To help with these common concerns, we have a behavioral health specialist, Caitlin Geiser, LPCC-S, on our team. If you are in need of additional support for your child, Caitlin will focus on your child’s psycho-social functioning and help teach you and your child strategies to reduce symptoms.
If you have any questions about therapy services or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at 513-232-8100. Our goal at Anderson Hills Pediatrics is to provide the best possible care to your child so he or she can achieve the best possible health and quality of life.
Source: World Health Organization
