Virtual Learning During COVID: How to Help Kids Manage Stress

COVID has forced many students, parents, and educators to adapt to virtual learning. For many individuals, this can cause increased stress and trigger anxiety. The challenges of online learning for students include everything from being unable to login because of technical difficulties, to being unable to concentrate and feeling overwhelmed.

For parents, it is easy to become upset when you see your child upset. The following tips may help to alleviate some of the stress and feelings of discouragement:

Find Your Calm

Feeling “calm” can mean different things to different people.

Individuals who have learned mindfulness skills have reported a reduction in stress and anxiety.

Listen and Validate

It is normal for students to become frustrated. The best thing we can do as parents is to remain calm and validate their feelings. Statements such as “I know this is upsetting. Let’s try to figure this out” help your child feel heard and understood.

Plan Ahead and Take Breaks

Create a schedule that incorporates an objective and structure, but that also incudes breaks.

Keep in mind that all the planning in the world can’t take into consideration every hiccup that may arise. Anxiety can creep up at any given time but remember that this is a natural response anything from stress to fear to apprehension to change. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to anxiety.

Keep Moving Forward
While it is normal to feel uncertain about what’s to come, bottling things up can cause you to become more anxious. Share your concerns or fears, be honest with yourself and your children, and remember that we are all experiencing the same storm from different boats - you are not alone.