JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The start of school brings on a flood of emotions. But in pandemic times, it’s amplified.
Some kids may be excited to go back to in-person learning, while others may be dreading it.
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”We’re all trying to figure out what it’s like to be in the new normal and determine for ourselves if we’re safe or not,” David Chesire, Ph. D., with UF Health said.
Chesire was a school psychologist for many years before going to UF Health. He says returning to life in person is just as nerve-racking for kids as it is for adults.
”I’m seeing – especially with younger students – kids are gonna take their cue from adults, and if adults aren’t anxious, they probably won’t be anxious either,” he said.
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Chesire says older students like middle and high schoolers will typically have their own anxieties about safely returning to class in person.
He says if students don’t feel safe, they won’t be in a good position to learn. That’s why parents need to take their kids’ concerns seriously.
”We’re all learning what it’s like to be around people again, and I imagine that students are going to have a little bit of social awkwardness,” Chesire said.
He asks teachers to go easy on students as well.
Chesire says parents can even expect some kids to regress in their learning, so don’t be surprised by that and know that it’s a normal response.
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