EDT 344
CHILDREN, ANXIETY, AND COVID
Sydney Burcham, Katie Neate, Cat Hart, Megan Spears
"It's OKAY to be scared. Being scared means you're about to do something really, really brave."
Mandy Hale
DEFINING ANXIETY
"Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure" - American Psychological Association
Recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns
Avoidance of situations
Physical symptoms (sweating, dizziness, rapid heartbeat)
ANXIETY IN CHILDREN
7.1% of children (4.4 million) age 3-17 years have diagnosed anxiety - CDC
Separation Anxiety - children may get very upset when parted from parents or caregivers, will refuse to attend school or play dates
Vulnerability to anxiety - biological factors (genetics), psychological factors (temperament), environmental factors (troubling early childhood experiences)
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/anxiety-in-children-2018081414532
https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/anxiety-depression-children.html
This video includes 5 tips to help with student stress:
Play
Bond
Routine
Talk to Them
Be Clear
COVID-19 AND DISTANCE LEARNING
Exploration of Anxiety Factors among Students of Distance Learning
Anxiety in distance learners stems mainly from their life experiences, and expectations/ assumptions they make as a result.
The distance learners tend to fear failure, yet conversely can have high, even unrealistic expectations of themselves.
“Students feel more anxiety in distance learning approach because due to distance they are unable to discuss or share problems with instructors on daily basis.”
5 TIPS FOR A SAFE BACK-TO-SCHOOL DURING COVID-19
CATCH UP ON SHOTS
HOLD OFF ON HUGS
SIGN YOUR WAY TO HYGINE
PRACTICE MASK-WEARING
DON'T SHARE THOSE CARROT STICKS
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/safe-back-to-school-during-covid-19.html
Tips for helping kids cope during the COVID-19 Pandemic
More tips for what parents can do to help their children with COVID anxiety
Why or how COVID-19 is causing children to suffer from anxiety
BOOKS
Here are a few age-appropriate books you may choose to read with your child