Poor mental health affects a student’s personal life as well as their work and ability to thrive and learn, so it’s critical that teachers do what they can to help encourage better mental health for kids. Let’s discuss how remote learning is affecting mental health for students, and a few tips from WritingCity that teachers can use to make the remote learning experience more beneficial for both the mental health and education of their classroom.
What is Being Observed in Mental Health for Kids?
According to a Gallup poll, about 30% of parents say their child is experiencing “emotional or mental harm” due to social distancing and school closures, and mental health experts are worried that they may see a rise in mental health conditions like anxiety and depression in students.
One potential cause of this is students having to “re-learn to learn” in online environments, which lack the structure and face-to-face interaction offered by a physical classroom. Students comfortable in a traditional classroom may be stressed out by the complexities of managing remote learning, leading to high stress levels, resulting in more frequent signs of struggles with mental health for kids.
In some cases, students are also impacted by domestic violence, particularly those from troubled homes. It’s thought that social distancing, remote learning, and school closures could contribute to neglect and emotional or physical abuse.
Often, schools are the safest places for these students, and allow them to get the help they need, so losing this “lifeline” can have negative effects on the mental health of students.
How to Gauge Student Mental Health
When it comes to mental health for students, teachers have a major role to play. There are a few steps you can take to see how your students are doing – both mentally and emotionally. The best way to start is to have genuine conversations with them, ideally during 1 on 1 check-ins to ensure a safe, private setting.
It’s also a good idea for teachers to keep an eye out for common indicators of mental health issues, such as:
- A short temper
- Obsessiveness
- Drop in performance
- Lack of social participation
- New tics
- Major changes in behavior
It’s also a good idea to speak with parents, when possible. Ask how the student is doing outside of school hours, how they think their kids are holding up, and about any concerns they may have.
What Can Teachers Do?
The most important thing that teachers can do when it comes to mental health for kids is be supportive, open, and empathetic. Listen to them when they’re troubled – and show them you care by reassuring them that they can feel comfortable talking to you.
You can also create fun lessons that help drive interaction between students online – boosting social interaction. Being patient with students as they adjust to new learning platforms and styles is also important.
How Can WritingCity Help Teachers?
With WritingCity, you get an organized curriculum with pre-built lesson plans, freeing up time to talk to your students and see how they’re doing. WritingCity also provides fun, engaging lessons and activities that boost student engagement – as well as a variety of teaching aids that help students with diverse learning styles.
The WritingCity curriculum has also been shown to help boost test scores, so you’ll know that you’re giving your students the best chance for success, even in a challenging remote learning environment.
Sign Up For WritingCity Today To Explore Our K-5 Curriculum
At WritingCity, our curriculum empowers teachers and students alike in these difficult times, providing the tools and resources for a great learning experience – whether your students are learning remotely or in person. Sign up now to explore our curriculum in more detail, and see if this program is right for your students.
