Thursday
Jan282021

Going the distance...

AuthorTara Dyson, Child Therapist

As the pandemic continues to linger, some adults are searching for employment, while others are struggling to keep their jobs.  In the meantime, kids are left at home to manage their education-attend Zoom meetings, keep their mics. on, and turn in their work before the end of the day.  It can be alot for a student to be in charge of her own education.  And while staying 6 feet apart is working for our physical health, it doesn't work for our mental health. 

Many teenagers feel anxious.  They may feel nervous to ask a Teacher for help in the middle of a Zoom meeting, tired from staring at a screen for several hours and confused about how to submit their work at the end of the day.  These fears can lead to shame.  The problem is most students don't report feeling anxious.  They present as being overwhelmed and ashamed.  Students feel pressured to succeed and when things get too tough, they give up because it feels impossible. 

So who's to blame?  The dedicated teachers, struggling students, hardworking parents?  Whereas I cannot place blame, I can offer these guidelines to help refocus your teenager in distance learning:

Take active breaks (jumping jacks, walking the dog, chores, Tik toc choreography).

Eat healthy snacks.

Avoid unrelated school screen time until after school hours.

Minimize distractions (put phones on silent and move gaming systems out of sight).

Utilize relaxation tools (stress balls, modeling clay).

Access teacher online office hours.  Know how to and get comfortable asking for help.

Contact a mental health professional and ask for assistance, if needed.

This is a new learning process for all of us, it's just at a distance..

Reference list:

healthline.com (August 2020) 40 Healthy Snacks for Hungry Teens.  Retrieved January 28, 2021, from(http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/snacks-for-teens)

healthline.com  (December 2018) Is Screen Time Altering the Brains of Children?  Retrieved January 28, 2021, from(http://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-does-screen-time-affect-kids-brains)

 



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