Student Wellbeing
It was wonderful to see our Foundation to Year 2 students return to school today. The students arrrived in such great spirits and there was a real sense of energy in the yard during lunchtime. It was also terrific to see how the teachers in the different hubs have worked to prepare to welcome these student back to school.
There is no doubt that the children and teaching staff have arrived at school today in a range of emotional and mental states that impact their willingness and capacity to engage in learning. I am also sure that the same can be said for parents. We have all been on our own emotional journey with Remote Learning and in fact COVID-19.
Returning may feel strange for some children, especially with new routines to follow regarding hygiene and how we enter and leave the school. It's important to give them time to reconnect with each other and with school. Teachers will reconnect in a similar way to how they connect at the start of a new school year.
2. Make time to talk
All children will have different family circumstances so space and time to talk could be vital. Every student has their own narrative to share regarding how they have coped during Remote Learning and the whole Coronavirus pandemic. This also includes the positive aspects that the forced restrictions have brought about. Such discussions will take place with the needs of the students at heart, with teachers looking our for any signs of anxiety or stress.
3. Embed wellbeing
Here are a few of the activities we regularly use as part of our Wellbeing program
- Breathing exercises to relax students. It’s important to do these regularly so children are familiar with them in times of need.
- Regular brain breaks in between lessons, or during them, as needed. These could be simple yoga stretches or a burst of star jumps
- Meditation and other forms of Mindfulness. This could include guided meditations that can be found online, eg. smilingmind.com.au
- Cirlce Time
- Teach students to name and label their feelings.
- Allowing pupils time to choose independent wellbeing activities; reading, mindfulness colouring, relaxing music, drawing and so on. This can be whole-class for a short period of time and be up to individuals to identify when they need it.
4. Give time to adapt
Remembering and slotting into old routines takes time and patience even under normal circumstances; with added hygiene procedures, it will take even longer.
This means being patient and giving children more time, understanding they may not be quite at the level they were when you last saw them. Do whatever it takes to help them process everything. Some students will require more assistance as they adapt back into working in a class environment. Teachers will be ready to provide the assistance required by different students.
5. Find ways to laugh
Laughter is so important for releasing tension and building a sense of connection.
If we are constantly teaching our students how to look after their wellbeing, we become better at looking after our own as teachers and as parents, too.
Finally, I would like to share this Thank You for Parents & Carers who became Teachers during COVID-19 from the Australian Childhood Foundation.
Paul Anderson
Student Wellbeing Leader
