As the new year approaches, I always have that "new year" excitement and nervousness. I am excited to see our students again and ready to start working on those things that get in the way of their best learning. I'm also a parent, so I feel apprehensive to send them to a new year, knowing that they are well taken care of, but also that they are no longer under my constant watchful eyes. When my worry and apprehension begin to take over, I feel myself becoming distracted and my fuse shortening. As a counselor, I know strategies to use that help...but that doesn't mean I always remember to use them. If you know someone who could use some stress relief, remind them to take time for themselves. I recently did a craft project that took my mind off of the worries building in me long enough to feel some relief. Many people use their hobbies or exercise to relieve stress and anxiety. As adults, we must model coping skills so that our children, or those we are in contact with, can learn from us.
Kids use play to work out the things that worry them. You might notice their imaginary play is a window into what is on their mind. Are they playing school? Are they playing house? Perhaps they are, as mine have begun to do, playing baby. Play is the work of young children, according to Dr. Gary Landreth, play therapist. Even our older children use play as a safe place to work out things they don't quite understand. Children need this opportunity to learn how to be who they are. Encourage imaginary play whenever possible!
If you notice your child seems anxious, reassure them. Let him or her know that you trust the adults in your child's school to do their best to keep them safe. Young children especially may try to pull at your heart strings (or your shirt tails) the first few weeks of school. But if you are strong and supportive, your children will get the sense that things will be ok. I plan to walk my son to his first day of kindergarten. After that, I will not have the option. But even if I did, I know that I would have to let him go by himself or he won't become the independent young man he was created to become. I've held a sobbing child in my arms more times than I can count as the parent walks away with tears in his or her eyes. We will do our best to get through this with you...knowing that soon this too shall pass.
Good luck and happy new school year.
Kids use play to work out the things that worry them. You might notice their imaginary play is a window into what is on their mind. Are they playing school? Are they playing house? Perhaps they are, as mine have begun to do, playing baby. Play is the work of young children, according to Dr. Gary Landreth, play therapist. Even our older children use play as a safe place to work out things they don't quite understand. Children need this opportunity to learn how to be who they are. Encourage imaginary play whenever possible!
If you notice your child seems anxious, reassure them. Let him or her know that you trust the adults in your child's school to do their best to keep them safe. Young children especially may try to pull at your heart strings (or your shirt tails) the first few weeks of school. But if you are strong and supportive, your children will get the sense that things will be ok. I plan to walk my son to his first day of kindergarten. After that, I will not have the option. But even if I did, I know that I would have to let him go by himself or he won't become the independent young man he was created to become. I've held a sobbing child in my arms more times than I can count as the parent walks away with tears in his or her eyes. We will do our best to get through this with you...knowing that soon this too shall pass.
Good luck and happy new school year.