Latest news with #schoolagedchildren
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Back-to-School: How to support your kids' mental health
If you're a parent of school-aged kids, you know that August is the beginning of the back-to-school season. Whether your child is starting school for the first time, beginning their senior year of high school, or heading off to college, this season can bring them stress, anxiety, and even depression. As a counselor with years of experience, I've noticed a pattern at the start of each school year. This pattern is an influx of new referrals for school-aged children. According to Thriveworks, demand for child therapy services tends to increase in August ahead of the school year. Why is this? The short answer is change. Change can be hard for anyone, but it can be particularly challenging for school-aged children, as their brains are still developing. With any major change, some may begin to experience stress, anxiety, depression, or even behavioral shifts. This can be caused by many factors, such as being away from a parent for the first time, expectations to perform well in school, and a fear of bullying, to name a few. Several strategies can help young people cope with change Parents may wonder how to support their child during the start of a new school year. If your child shows signs of anxiety, stress, depression, or behavioral changes, there are several strategies that can assist in the adjustment process. Establishing healthy routines and self-care practices is fundamental. Children benefit from predictable schedules, which help reduce uncertainty and foster a sense of security. Parents should encourage and model structured morning, afternoon, and evening routines, as well as encourage healthy practices like sufficient sleep, personal hygiene, and proper nutrition. School-aged children typically require 8 to 12 hours of sleep per night to recharge. Start adjusting their routines before the start of the school year. Modeling constructive and positive self-talk, while guiding children to reframe negative thoughts, can also be beneficial. For instance, parents might say, 'I understand you are feeling worried about starting a new school year. Change can be challenging, but you are capable of overcoming difficulties, and I am here to support you.' Prioritizing daily quality time with your child is very important. Regular conversations about their day, shared family meals, and intentional one-on-one interactions contribute to a nurturing parent-child relationship. Children often navigate change and life stressors more effectively when they have secure connections with parents or caregivers. Prioritizing and building this relationship with your child will also help them see you as a safe space. Put away the phones: What to know about Knox County Schools student phones: enforcement and exceptions If something does happen at school, like bullying, they're more likely to confide in you if they see you as a safe and supportive person. In Knoxville, we have several family-friendly hangout locations that are fun for adults and kids alike, including World's Fair Park, Lakeshore Park, Market Square, Central Filling Station, and Hey Bear Cafe. Other techniques, activities help navigate transition Knoxville is also home to many back-to-school events that help teachers, students, and parents reconnect following summer break, while also preparing them for the upcoming school year. Teaching and demonstrating coping strategies can support children during periods of change and transition. Techniques such as belly breathing or triangle breathing can help children in calming their nervous system by triggering the body's relaxation response. Additionally, activities like art and journaling offer opportunities for children to express emotions and process feelings through creative or nonverbal means. The start of a new school year can bring about significant emotional challenges for children. With understanding and support from parents, kids can navigate these transitions and thrive in school. By establishing routines, modeling positive self-talk, prioritizing quality time, and teaching healthy coping strategies, families can help ease the stress of change and foster healthy mental well-being in their children. Jessica Kyle is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Service Provider qualification at Thriveworks in Knoxville. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Back-to-School: How to support your kids' mental health | Opinion Solve the daily Crossword
Wall Street Journal
07-07-2025
- General
- Wall Street Journal
Chores Make for Great Summers and Résumés
Holly Peterson's 'Dealing With Lots of Messy Young Houseguests? Consider a Chore Doc' (Review, June 28) brought to mind our experience with six school-aged children. In lieu of hosting sleepovers and birthday parties with scads of youngsters, we told our kids that they could invite their friends to our cottage on the Chesapeake Bay for any length of time during the summer. At the cottage, they had unlimited use of two sailboats, two ski boats and a dinghy for fishing or crabbing, and the accompanying equipment needed for safe boating and water sports. The only condition was that they participate in family chores for part of the morning. One summer my husband decided the exterior of the cottage needed to be restained. We promptly gave the youngest contingent the bottom rows of siding, the teenyboppers the next rows up and the high schoolers and college kids the upper sections. Every morning for a week, they happily slapped on stain, knowing they would be able to use the toys until dark, gas and refreshments included.
