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Manage Back to School Anxiety with These Helpful Tools

This year, once again, the transition back to school has not gone as smoothly as we hoped. It is not uncommon that during this period of uncertainty and transition, that children, parents, teachers and educators begin to get overwhelmed with feelings of big emotions. It is important we do not allow our concerns and anxieties to be ignored, and that we make a conscious effort to provide some sort of emotional outlet to express our feelings.

Although no one may have all the answers right now, we felt we would share some helpful tools that have proven to help children and adults cope with their anxiety and concerns.

1) Fidgets

These times have been challenging to navigate and for children who thrive on predictability and structure in their day to day routines it can cause feelings of anxiety. Anxiety is an overwhelming emotion for both children and adults to process. Research suggests that fidget toys are an increasingly popular way for children to stimulate their senses, relieve anxiety through stimulating the senses and return them to the present moment. Studies show that fidgeting stimulates areas of the brain that relate to attention, by performing repetitive movements with fidgets it can reduce stress levels in high pressure situations. Fidgets are also beneficial as they activate both the left and right hemispheres of the brain which in turn creates new neural pathways. Fidgets are also often used by children and adults alike with ADHD, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorders and other neurodivergent diagnoses to help calm busy minds, build fine motor skills and release excess nervous energy!

During these times fidgets allow children to process their emotions and relieve stress as they work through big emotions or struggle with transitions by helping them remain calm and present through self regulation. They can also help to improve concentration as children fidget; it gives their body something to do while the brain is able to focus on the task at hand.

Some of our favourite fidgets include:

Textured Tangles, Pop Its, Stress Balls, Putty, The Fidget Box

2) Calm Down Corners

Children often become so overwhelmed with big emotions they are unable to regulate and process what is happening in the moment and respond in a healthy manner. These times are stressful and children are dealing with a lot of big emotions as they process change, become frustrated with the change in routine or are simply sad. As parents and educators we often wonder what we can do to help children in these moments, calm down corners and kits are a wonderful opportunity to provide our children with a space to feel safe to express themselves and process their emotions through self-regulation.

Donna Housman, Ed. D who is a clinical child psychologist and founder of the Houseman institute defined a calm down corner as: "A calm-down corner is an area where a child who is experiencing heightened emotions may go to engage their minds, calm their bodies and release strong emotions in a safe and controlled manner." This definition highlights how through the use of calm down corners children are able to learn to self-regulate and safely process their big emotions in a healthy way. It is a safe space where children can go to regain control of their physical and emotional well being. You often can also find a calm down kit in these spaces to help children process their emotions!

These corners are often cozy spaces that are filled with comforting objects, soothing sensory materials, fidgets, and activities that are meant to promote mindfulness, breathing and identification of emotions!

How can we create these corners? Here are some ideas and products that are great for these!

At Home:

Find a quiet space in your home that your child tends to naturally gravitate towards. In this space place a soft rug, bean bag chair or other soft materials.

Fill the space with fidgets, books related to emotions, calming wall art or bulletin boards

At School / A Centre:

Create a spot in your room that can permanently be your calm down corner, talk to children about the corner and designate it as a special space for children to spend time in when their emotions are running high

Similar to home fill this space with objects that help children feel comfortable and provide activities and tools to help children recognize and process these emotions!

You can find items to fill your calm down corner here: Mindfulness, Sensory Stimulation, Social Emotional Learning

3) Establishing Routines

It feels like each day right now is filled with uncertainty as children’s familiar routines are often disrupted by the ever changing environment and health and safety measures related to COVID-19. Though it may feel like there is no way to build a structured routine right now, here are some ways to incorporate elements of routine into your days to help your child navigate big emotions and transitions!

Children, like the rest of us, are best equipped to handle change if they are expecting it and it occurs during a familiar routine and transition. Predictability especially in a routine allows children to feel safe and develop a sense of calm and build skills to manage change big and small! Structure and routine teaches children how to manage themselves and their environment which in turn helps them adapt to change.

4) Reading Books

Research suggests that reading is a powerful tool for developing key early social / emotional learning skills with children. Social Emotional Learning helps children establish a strong sense of self and as they understand themselves they are able to understand and manage emotions, build empathy, and understand other children’s emotions. Reading allows children to discover stories with diverse characters who through the story will encounter situations that leave children inspired to question and learn.

When children read books about other children experiencing big emotions and processing these feelings it can be a great way to start a conversation about their feelings. As we talk to our children about their feelings they realize they are not alone in their emotions and we can begin to work on strategies for managing big emotions!

When a change in our child’s routine occurs what can we do to ease this anxiety and help them regain a sense of understanding and control over their environment? Establishing a consistent morning routine and schedule can help children understand what to expect on a day to day basis! If you develop a routine that starts at home when the routine needs to be changed you can speak to your children about why the change was made and what they can expect!

Some practical ways to apply this in your home during the transitions children are experiencing right now is to use a visual schedule! Children are able to see and familiarize themselves with the routine. You can even have two, one related to online learning for when required and a consistent one that your family uses while the children are in school! Talk to children about the routine and ask them how that makes them feel. What can you do to help them process these feelings related to the change? By being open with our children we can help them to process these changes and their emotions.

Books about mindfulness and emotions can help parents and children understand the power of being mindful of your own feelings and the feelings of those around them. These books can also inspire conversations about what steps you can take to practice mindfulness each day and what mindfulness strategies you can use for big emotions

It is important to remember that you are not alone, children starting or going back to school is scary for many many adults and children, especially in the current climate. It is likely that this anxiety did not appear overnight and changing thoughts about it won't happen that way either. Anxiety can be difficult to deal with, so it is important to have a positive mindset, take it day by day, speak to others including your children, and have the right tools to help ease anxious feelings.

BLOG FAQ:

How can fidget toys help children cope with anxiety and stress during uncertain times like the transition back to school?
- Fidget toys provide sensory stimulation and help children stay present, reducing stress levels and improving concentration. They can also assist children with neurodivergent diagnoses in calming their minds and releasing excess nervous energy.
What are calm down corners, and how do they aid children in managing their emotions during periods of heightened stress?
- Calm down corners are designated spaces where children can go to engage their minds, calm their bodies, and release strong emotions in a safe and controlled manner. These corners are filled with comforting objects, soothing sensory materials, and activities that promote mindfulness and emotional identification.
How can parents and educators create effective calm down corners at home or in educational settings?
- Creating a calm down corner involves finding a quiet space, filling it with comforting objects like fidgets and books related to emotions, and incorporating activities that promote mindfulness and emotional regulation. Visual schedules and open communication about routine changes are also helpful strategies.
What role do routines play in helping children manage anxiety and navigate transitions, especially during uncertain times like the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Establishing consistent routines provides children with a sense of predictability and safety, helping them adapt to change and manage their environment. Visual schedules and open communication about routine changes can ease anxiety and help children understand and process their feelings.
How can reading books about mindfulness and emotions support children in developing social and emotional learning skills and coping strategies for managing anxiety?
- Reading books with diverse characters experiencing and processing big emotions can inspire conversations about feelings and strategies for managing them. These books promote empathy, self-awareness, and mindfulness, helping children build resilience and cope with anxiety.