If you are like most parents, right now you are asking yourself, "Where did the summer go?" Summer has zipped by us, as parents scramble to buy the school supply list and prepare their children for a new school season...
It is very important to take some alone one on one time with each child and discuss with them any feelings they may be having about the new school year. Even if your child is attending the same school, they may be experiencing some anxiety about returning to school and this can help teach your child about how to express their feelings.
Children of any age, can experience difficulty expressing how they feel. One exercise that is good for elementary aged children is to have them do the following (it's a great art activity also!):
Build a Feeling Box:
- Take a shoe box and let them decorate it with construction paper, cut outs from magazine pictures they enjoy
- Explain to them this is their private box, that no one else will have access and the goal is to write down short sentences of how they feel
- They can cut up pieces of paper and put in the box with a pencil/pen
- Encourage them daily or anytime they experience any type of feeling to write it on a piece of paper, fold it up and put it in their feeling box
- There is no right or wrong with this activity, this only helps a child learn how to express their feelings
An example entry note: I feel mad, my brother took a game from my room
I feel sad, my Grandmother is sick in the hospital
There is no set method that works for every child, but it is important to make sure you open the channels for your child to vent if they are feeling anxiety or nervous about the new school year. As parents, teaching them effective methods of communicating their emotions, will aid them in years to come.
We encourage others to share their methods of how they teach communication to their children. Please share with others!
The Ask a Nurse Now Nurses
