Student anxiety is a growing concern for parents across the globe. COVID-19 has sent everybody home for the foreseeable in order to control the spread of the virus. On one hand, we have never been better equipped for this kind of pandemic. Mobile devices and Wi-Fi, communication and learning platforms, cloud-shared documents, and video streaming: we’re great at staying home. In the long term though, it’s important to acknowledge how much anxiety this created.
The Pandemic’s Effect on Student Anxiety
Remember how the last housing crisis shaped the values of millennials? Children are supposed to ask themselves deep questions, like where they’ll be in 20 years and what the world will be like. The way Coronavirus has changed the world around them so quickly paints a worrying picture. Student anxiety can also be picked up from parents, who had very real reasons to be concerned during this crisis.
Crisis Anxiety and Displays of Negative Emotion
Children experiencing student anxiety often don’t really understand what they’re feeling, and the worry will come out in other ways. They may be more negative during schoolwork or suddenly shout that everything is stupid. They may seem sullen, refusing to work or play, or only focus on one activity that makes them feel better.
In their schoolwork, they may struggle more with learning or remaining focused on a difficult task. They may move around restlessly instead of staying seated at work.
Tip 1: Be Patient and Help Them Talk About Their Student Anxiety
When you’re trying to guide your kids through education or simultaneously work from home, these negative behaviors can be frustrating. But your child isn’t being difficult on purpose, they’re having a hard time expressing themselves.
So be patient and compassionate about moods and attitudes during this time. If you can, sit down with your child and talk out the feelings. Try to give them the right feeling-words for their current emotions and talk about the things that are worrying them most. Being able to express anxiety about the crisis can help direct the negative displays away from other contexts.
Tip 2: Family Physical Activity
One of the biggest risks of stay-at-home is staying too still. Kids don’t actually work at desks for 8-hours straight. They get up, change classes, go to lunch, and have recess and PE. That physical movement is good for them. It keeps the blood pumping and the brain focused. And it’s good for you, too. Exercise can help to relieve stress and remembering to exercise can prevent the negative static from bottling anxiety up inside.
Tip 3: Maintain a Routine
The other thing you can really do to help is to maintain a regular routine. Re-establish your bedtimes and breakfast times. This kind of routine, and a structure to get back into learning, can help your child both distract themselves from worry and learn to master their anxiety.
Learn More About Student Anxiety
Here at the Tenney School, we know you and your kids are working hard to rebuild normal in the new stay-at-home situation. This global crisis is something we can all pull through together with teamwork, compassion, and online resources. Contact us today for more insights into at-home schooling during the coronavirus pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tenney School offers individualized, one-to-one instruction for students in grades 5 through 12. Our curriculum is designed to meet the unique academic needs of each student, whether they are in middle school or high school. We focus on preparing students for success in their current grade level while also setting them up for future achievements in college and beyond. Our small class sizes and personalized learning approach ensure that students in every grade receive the attention and resources they need to excel academically.
The Tenney School has maintained accreditation through Cognia (formerly the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools) since 1979. The accreditation process is repeated every five-to-six years. The last School Accreditation Engagement Review of The Tenney School was successfull completed in February 2022.
The Tenney School earned an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 318.5 from Cognia on the last review. This IEQ is well above the average school IEQ (278.34 – 283.33).
