There are a lot of changes and unknowns as students, parents and teachers embark on distance learning during school closure due to COVID-19. This is a challenging time for everyone, and the counselors wanted to share some tips to help students and their families cope.
Tips for Dealing with Stress during School Closure due to COVID-19
Coping Activities and Stress Busters to Try at Home
Connecting with your Counselor
If you or your student would like a phone call from the counselor, please send the counselor an email or inform your child’s teacher that you would like the counselor to call. Please know that a call from the counselor will be during school hours, and may come up as “private” or “unknown” as we are not working in our offices at school right now.
Camelot - Christie Wyatt [email protected]
Centennial - Amy Johannesen [email protected]
McGhee - Rachelle Haag [email protected] or Amy Johannesen [email protected]
McSorely - Sarah Albrich [email protected]
Orchards - Rachelle Haag [email protected] or Christie Wyatt [email protected]
Whitman - Sarah Albrich [email protected] or Emmy Shepherd [email protected]
Webster - Emmy Shepherd [email protected]
Tips for Dealing with Stress during School Closure due to COVID-19
- It’s okay to talk about coronavirus. Not talking about something can make kids worry more. Age appropriate, fact based information can help children feel informed and reassured.
- Monitor television and social media use. Constantly watching updates on the virus can increase anxiety for both kids and adults.
- Be honest and accurate. In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality.
- Giving children guidance on what they can do to prevent infection can give them a greater sense of control, which can help lessen anxiety (e.g. routine hand washing, coughing into elbow or shirt sleeve, and not sharing food or drinks).
- Establish a daily routine. Structure helps children to feel safe. Develop a schedule for your family (time to wake up, breakfast time, school work time, family time, lunch, free time, etc.) and do your best to follow the schedule each day.
- Incorporate activities to help manage stress for yourself and your kids. We’ve put together some ideas and suggestions of activities and coping strategies you can try at home.
Coping Activities and Stress Busters to Try at Home
- Gratitude Practice: Focus on one thing for that day that you are grateful for. Example: I am grateful to have my family. Today I will tell each family member why I appreciate them.
- Movement: Move your body whether it be yoga, walking or simply crunches and squats, the tension relieved is powerful for your mental health and relieving stress.
- Breathing Exercises: Focus your mind on a positive thought and take 10 nice slow deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Draw a picture or write about your feelings.
- Circle of Control: Write down all of the things you are worried about and then sort them into the things you can control and the things outside of your control. Focus on the things that fall into your control to help alleviate stress.
Connecting with your Counselor
If you or your student would like a phone call from the counselor, please send the counselor an email or inform your child’s teacher that you would like the counselor to call. Please know that a call from the counselor will be during school hours, and may come up as “private” or “unknown” as we are not working in our offices at school right now.
Camelot - Christie Wyatt [email protected]
Centennial - Amy Johannesen [email protected]
McGhee - Rachelle Haag [email protected] or Amy Johannesen [email protected]
McSorely - Sarah Albrich [email protected]
Orchards - Rachelle Haag [email protected] or Christie Wyatt [email protected]
Whitman - Sarah Albrich [email protected] or Emmy Shepherd [email protected]
Webster - Emmy Shepherd [email protected]