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Jonathan Ponser, a licensed counselor and manager of child and
family therapy for Memorial Behavioral Health in Springfield,
said not all kids will make the adjustment to in-person
instruction in quite the same way.
“Those who have been more socially engaged,” he said, “may have
an easier time. Those who – for the protection of their health
or the health of others – have had had fewer social interactions
may respond with more anxiety.”
Ponser said when kids ask questions about what to expect as
daily, in-person instruction resumes, parents should keep in
mind that often they are not only seeking answers but also
emotional support.
It’s not too soon, he said, to adjust your child’s sleep
patterns and begin encouraging regular habits of structure and
routine.
“In terms of electronics, that’s just one thing most households
would want to have a set rule about – when it’s all right to
have access to them and when not. We want to put those away a
good hour or so before bedtimes,” Ponser said.
Ponser suggested a community charging station, in a common area
of the home, where phones and devices can be put during offline
hours.
Other things, like back-to-school shopping for supplies,
clothes, etc. can bring a feeling of familiarity and normalcy to
students who might otherwise be feeling anxious about returning
to in-person classes after more than a year.
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