For many of us, the pandemic is wearing - we are suffering from stress overload. We are grieving losses as a direct result of the pandemic and that can induce a whole range of emotions. The normalcy we had established through the year of mostly in-person learning (acknowledging the extra precautions as well as the periods of level 3 and level 4 that some schools have gone through) has been interrupted for a couple of weeks.
It's natural that this transition will create stress, even if your child's school or class has been at level 3 or level 4 previously. We are all in the same storm, but our boats are very different. So we've gathered a collection of ideas to help navigate the transition to online learning delivery and help protect your family's mental health in the process. Take what you and your family need from this list and please stay safe and well.
- State the obvious. For the health and safety of our students and staff, online learning will happen for the two weeks after spring break. It's okay to acknowledge to yourself and your kids that this change is not ideal, and it is likely to be hard at times. In fact that acknowledgement is a healthy first step in change management and even if it doesn't seem like much, it's an important strategy for protecting your mental health during times of stress.
Did your family love supplemental learning last year? Have your kids thrived online? Maybe you're part of the Cyber Stone Virtual School family and this announcement doesn't affect your family in the same way? Whatever you are feeling in this time is valid and important to recognize as you deal with other pandemic stressors that impact you and your family.
- Beware of negative thought cycles. Rumination is another word to describe a negative thought cycle. It's different than the negative thoughts that come up as you process a transition because when you're processing you're looking for solutions, but when you're ruminating, it's like your brain can only focus on the problem. Short term rumination is fairly common, especially when you're already overloaded with stress, or feeling symptoms of depression or anxiety. If you don't actively disrupt your rumination, the cycle of negative thought can become a spiral of thoughts and emotions that feel bigger and harder to manage in the longer term.
Families can help kids break the rumination cycle by encouraging open dialogue about the feelings during a problem or transition. Talk about the things you can change, and the things you can't. Focus on coping with stress as a family. Check out this article for more information about rumination.
- You are not alone, even when you feel lonely. People all over the world are having the exact same experience right now. Others have gotten through it - and we will too. Reminding yourself that this is a collective experience won't change your situation, but it can help you feel less alone. You can even use exercises like gratitude to help frame your experience in a big picture context.
Of course online learning is not the same social experience as in-person learning. Social interaction in-person has looked very different this year and many students have experience loneliness already. It's natural to feel that loneliness again as we make another transition online, especially for those of us with high social needs. You can find more information about helping your kids through loneliness here.
- Focus on your physical health. Exercise and time in nature both support your mental health, so does proper nutrition and sleep. Physical exercise is a key component of learning as well. Body breaks between assignments or online classes will help kids to focus and retain what they are learning better. Simple stretching, a quick walk or an impromptu dance party breaks up screen time and engages the learning part of your kid's brain. It can also improve motivation which is affected during stressful times. Check our motivation matrix for a few other ideas.
- Think of learning as a process. It's normal to worry about how this year will affect your child or teen in the whole scheme of their academic career. Whether your student is in Pre-K, Grade 12 or somewhere in between, their teachers and school support staff will continue to help them reach appropriate learning milestones. They are trained to identify learning needs and implement support when it's required, so students can reach their academic potential.
Keep in mind that learning isn't just about specific assignments or tasks, it's a collection of skills that will prepare students for adulthood. Those skills include social-emotional skills like the ability to solve problems, handle conflict and manage stress, alongside core academic skills like reading and math. Studies show that students who learn social-emotional skills at home do better academically too, because the two types of learning complement each other, giving kids more capacity for innovative and critical thought.
Though the supplemental learning we did at the end of last year was a very different situation than that we are currently faced with (for one thing it was voluntary, where this learning will be mandatory in the same way in person learning is) this video series created last March contains some relevant information for families looking for ways to support holistic learning at home.
If you or your family need extra support during this time, please reach out for help You can contact your child's teacher to discuss learning needs. You can also call 211 for a list of local social services and mental health supports for your family.