The protective power of positivity: Approaching the 2020-21 school year
A new school year, even under typical circumstances, brings both stress and excitement. We've all heard the terms "unprecedented," "trying times," "uncertain" and "new normal" to describe 2020, but we don't have to allow these labels to dictate how we interact with our world.
Posted — UpdatedA new school year, even under typical circumstances, brings both stress and excitement. We’ve all heard the terms “unprecedented," “trying times," “uncertain" and “new normal” to describe 2020, but we don’t have to allow these labels to dictate how we interact with our world. Maybe the first step in helping our children navigate the new school year would be to stop using terms that cause us to feel trapped and overwhelmed. We can approach this year with positivity and choose other words to label our year, such as adaptability, resiliency, and flexibility.
1. I am able to talk with my family about my feelings.
2. I felt that my family stood by me during difficult times.
3. I enjoyed participating in community traditions.
4. I felt a sense of belonging in high school.
5. I felt supported by friends.
6. I had at least two non-parent adults who took a genuine interest in me.
7. I felt safe and protected by an adult in my home.
Here are 10 tips for increasing positivity and reducing stress as we approach the new school year:
Negativity is contagious, but so is positivity.
Youth learn how to manage stress by watching the adults in their lives.
Adults should practice healthy self-care, which begins by learning to recognize and manage negative emotions. Understanding what triggers our stress will help us to better include healthy stress management activities in our lives and make us better models for youth. Activities might include exercise, creating art, mindfulness activities and talking honestly about feelings.
Limit social media intake and counter misinformation.
Teach children how to help prevent illness and reduce risk.
Empower youth to make responsible choices by explaining how mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing help limit illness. Make the safety precautions feel fun rather than a chore. Find creative, socially-distant, ways to say hello, create hand-washing songs, allow children to choose fun masks, hand sanitizers, and soap, or turn cleaning into family karaoke!
Think of your child’s teacher and school as partners rather than hurdles.
Take time to teach and model the skills of adaptability and flexible thinking to create a more positive experience when approaching the new schooling environment. Learn how parents and teachers can work as a team.
Create a workspace for your child with minimal distractions.
If possible, reserve the workspace only for schoolwork. Your child might like to help design the space. Learning how to minimize distractions is good for both youth and adults! For tips click here.
Avoid multitasking.
Maintain back-to-school rituals.
Help foster other positive adult relationships that your child might be missing from not attending school in person.
Through these non-parent relationships, youth learn how to seek out emotional support from other trusted persons which will continue to benefit them into adulthood. These trusted connections could come from neighbors, family friends, or faith community members.
Don’t assume how your child feels. Ask!
We may be projecting our own emotions onto our children without considering that their feelings might be different. The conversation may simply begin by asking, “How are you feeling about what is happening?," and then be present and listen.
Using protective factors and positive language can help de-stress your child about the uncertainties of this year. Through carefully choosing language and remaining calm and positive, you can make 2020 a positive experience for your child!
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.