Page 2 - SENeXtra Sept 2021

Returning to school after the summer Q 7 _ ' ‘
holidays has always been an anxious K " '
time for children, whatever their age »—-~ ’ , ~
but the pandemic has added to their ‘
worries. Feeling anxious is actually '7
quite normal, especially when faced I
with tackling something completely \
new. |t’s an inbuilt safety feature to give >‘'; _,__.g
ourselves time to consider things before
doing something dangerous. __,» A
Having anxiety is a different thing and uncharacteristic outbursts of anger, Once the cause has been established,
altogether. When a child starts to feel these could be signs of anxiety. talk about it and reassure them there is
anxious all the time or obsesses about always a solution without amplifying the
one particular thing which starts to get Identify the cause of anxiety situation. ‘I understand you're worried
in the way of daily activities, something Whilst some children will be really and that is fine and I am here to support
needs to be done. excited about going back to school, you through this’ is the message you
many others worry - be it a change want to get across. Ask your child if
R'|'l' Method, the research arm of of school and fitting in, an increase in you can work out a worry together by
R'l'|' therapy, has identified six ways workload,whethertheirfriends will still asking ‘ What can we do together to
children can combat anxiety as part of like them after the long summer break help you to feel calmer?’
their resilience and wellbeing challenge or ongoing concerns about Covid.
- I Can't To I Can - being launched Sharing an opportunityto work together
this autumn. It is important to encourage them to will support your child to recognise
identify exactly what is bothering them they can be part of the solution and
If you notice any sudden change so that they can know their enemy. this empowers them to become
in behaviour in a child such as Don't ask them leading questions and more resilient.
interrupted sleep, being particularly don’t force the issue if they don’t feel
clingy, unexplained stomach aches ready to talk about it. READ MORE
Barnardo’s workbook to help young children cope
with the challenge of a new school year
With the start of a new school year just days away wracking experience for children. And after the past 18
Barnardo’s has launched a workbook children can use to months where much of it was spent in Iockdown, including
help them through the first few weeks of term. having to get used to lessons taking place online, some
children will be understandably more apprehensive
The Change Challenge booklet contains easy to follow than normal.
exercises to be completed by key stage 1 and key stage
2 pupils to make the transition to a new class much easier. “This is why staff at the Barnardo’s Education Community
have created a workbook aimed at key stage 1 and key
And it also helps them to develop a plan for a successful stage 2 children. It gives them exercises to do for the first
first half-term by identifying the things that make them feel eight weeks of term where they can think and reflect on
good, the tricky things that can have a negative impact on how they are feeling.
their wellbeing, and also the people that can help them.
“I hope it will be useful not just for them to work
The workbook is designed to be used during the first eight through with their teachers in the classroom but also
weeks of term with a short reflective session each week, something children can do at home with their parents
writing down what has helped them, what has been tricky and carers."
and who has helped them.
BEC is aimed at education staff in early years, schools,
There are also some ideas to support them when they colleges and higher education.
come across difficult challenges in the future.
The workbook is free to download at the Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s Acting Chief Executive Lynn Perry said: “Starting Education Community site:
a new class or going to a new school is often a nerve- educators-barnardos.org.uk