LOSS OF SCHOOL ___________
From the Desk of Rebecca Schmidt, Counselor
Dear Parents,
We received the news school buildings will be closed for a part of the school year. This news can be difficult for many of our students. It is a true loss for some, and they may be grieving. They may be grieving their school routine and all the activities and social interactions a typical school day brings. Mainly, they may be grieving the adults at school who love them.
You may be grieving as well. It is a difficult time for adults to navigate everything that is happening right now. For children, it can be confusing and unsettling, but there are ways to make it easier for them once you know what to look for and what to do to help.
We received the news school buildings will be closed for a part of the school year. This news can be difficult for many of our students. It is a true loss for some, and they may be grieving. They may be grieving their school routine and all the activities and social interactions a typical school day brings. Mainly, they may be grieving the adults at school who love them.
You may be grieving as well. It is a difficult time for adults to navigate everything that is happening right now. For children, it can be confusing and unsettling, but there are ways to make it easier for them once you know what to look for and what to do to help.
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BEHAVIORAL CHANGES
Children tend to grieve in spirts. They may seem perfectly fine playing or watching television and, in an instant, they may start crying, become irritable and defiant, or get really quiet. If you suspect your child’s behavior and demeanor are changing and you are not sure why, here are some typical reactions to grief or loss you may be noticing.
- Clinginess – not wanting to be away from you even in the next room
- More frequent bad dreams
- Signs of fear and anxiety
- They may be more irritable or have an increase in tantrums or defiance
- Changes in eating habits or sleeping habits
- Complaints of tummy aches or headaches
- Bed wetting/soiling
- They may be more distracted or forgetful
HOW TO HELP
These reactions may seem overwhelming, but here is a list of simple things you can do to ease their sense of loss and help them feel better.
*Make sure your child knows the building may be closed, but school is still happening, just in a different way.
*Let them know they can still connect with their teacher during the week in many different ways through Zoom, Seesaw, email, phone calls, etc.
*Reassure them their teacher is still planning things for them to learn and looking at the great work they are doing every day.
*Reassure them they still have their friends even though they don’t see them every day. Let them reach out to friends frequently through Facetime, email, or phone calls - maybe it can be built into your schedule every day or so.
*Tell them you understand how they are feeling and that those feelings are normal
*Stick to a normal routine everyday as much as possible
*Reassure them if they seem anxious or worried
*Let them know they will be okay, and their loved ones are safe
*Be calm and gentle around them
*Cuddle and hug them a lot
*Email a letter or a picture they drew to their teacher or other staff member
*Let your child begin writing or drawing their feelings in a journal.
*You can go over it together. This can be an activity that takes no more than 10-15 minutes a day. It can be a calming activity in the evening.
*If you see some behaviors you find concerning for more than a few days, email me and we can talk about how best to help your child.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your child through these next several weeks. I am happy to Facetime you and your child or schedule a Zoom meeting at any time.
Take care,
Rebecca
I have written prompts for you to use to make a book to help your child express his/her feelings when dealing with the closure of the school buildings. Please go to the next drop down to see it.
I hope it helps.
*Make sure your child knows the building may be closed, but school is still happening, just in a different way.
*Let them know they can still connect with their teacher during the week in many different ways through Zoom, Seesaw, email, phone calls, etc.
*Reassure them their teacher is still planning things for them to learn and looking at the great work they are doing every day.
*Reassure them they still have their friends even though they don’t see them every day. Let them reach out to friends frequently through Facetime, email, or phone calls - maybe it can be built into your schedule every day or so.
*Tell them you understand how they are feeling and that those feelings are normal
*Stick to a normal routine everyday as much as possible
*Reassure them if they seem anxious or worried
*Let them know they will be okay, and their loved ones are safe
*Be calm and gentle around them
*Cuddle and hug them a lot
*Email a letter or a picture they drew to their teacher or other staff member
*Let your child begin writing or drawing their feelings in a journal.
*You can go over it together. This can be an activity that takes no more than 10-15 minutes a day. It can be a calming activity in the evening.
*If you see some behaviors you find concerning for more than a few days, email me and we can talk about how best to help your child.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your child through these next several weeks. I am happy to Facetime you and your child or schedule a Zoom meeting at any time.
Take care,
Rebecca
I have written prompts for you to use to make a book to help your child express his/her feelings when dealing with the closure of the school buildings. Please go to the next drop down to see it.
I hope it helps.