How to support kids’ emotions during back-to-school season this year
More than ever, kids need social and emotional support as the school year begins.

Starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone months into a global pandemic. Parents and teachers alike have many worries regarding safety, learning loss and how children will adjust to the new normal.
It is important to note that the impact of this experience on children's mental health will likely outweigh any potential educational gap, so when schools ultimately do return, children must be eased back into classrooms with plenty of connection, play and emotional support built into the school day.
The CDC has released recommendations for schools to reopen with guidelines on social distancing, teachers and/or students wearing masks, temperature checks, decreased recess, physical barriers and alternate schedules to reduce classroom sizes. Some parents worry that school will look more like a prison than a learning environment when their children do return, which begs the question: How will COVID-19 impact the long term mental health of young children?
While schools are crucial for teaching academics, they play an equally essential role in supporting children's social and emotional learning (SEL). Per decades of research, it is the development of these interpersonal skills that assist our children's brain development for a lifetime of happiness and success. It is more important than ever to recognize and value what SEL brings to children, not only in support of the stresses they may be facing currently but for the positive impact it is shown to have on children's future health and wellbeing. One long-time early childhood educator shares, "I can't begin to imagine the stress and fear we will be instilling in our children in telling them they can't get near others, play with their friends, work on projects together or eat their lunches together." This same educator, who has worked in a public school system for over ten years where more than 90% of students qualify for the subsidized lunch program, wants the policymakers in charge of reopening to remember that a large percentage of children returning to school this fall may have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 in a number of potentially traumatic ways:
Here's how schools and parents can think about supporting children's mental and emotional health as the school year begins during the pandemic.
While schools are crucial for teaching academics, they play an equally essential role in supporting children's social and emotional learning (SEL). Per decades of research, it is the development of these interpersonal skills that assist our children's brain development for a lifetime of happiness and success. It is more important than ever to recognize and value what SEL brings to children, not only in support of the stresses they may be facing currently but for the positive impact it is shown to have on children's future health and wellbeing. One long-time early childhood educator shares, "I can't begin to imagine the stress and fear we will be instilling in our children in telling them they can't get near others, play with their friends, work on projects together or eat their lunches together." This same educator, who has worked in a public school system for over ten years where more than 90% of students qualify for the subsidized lunch program, wants the policymakers in charge of reopening to remember that a large percentage of children returning to school this fall may have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 in a number of potentially traumatic ways:
- Higher levels of parental stress and/or disrupted family routines.
- The passing of a loved one from the virus.
- Poverty due to parental job loss.
- Prolonged periods of not being able to see some family members.
- Not being able to visit playgrounds or enjoy playdates.
- Unwanted thoughts or images: Children may replay certain thoughts or images in their mind or have an increase in nightmares.
- Unpleasant feelings: Some children experience an array of unpleasant feelings such as sadness, hopelessness, irritability, anger, or numbness. Others may become overwhelmed by their feelings and regress. Some may demonstrate increased anxiety or clinginess, especially when separated from a caregiver.
- Difficulty with attention: Some children may experience difficulty concentrating on schoolwork and activities, seem forgetful, or like they are daydreaming.
- Arousal and reactivity symptoms: Some children may startle more easily or feel that there is a threat present, even if there isn't. Additionally, they may have an increase in stomachaches, headaches or other bodily complaints, or a change in appetite or sleep habits.
As parents, here are a few ways we can support the mental health of our children during this time of great uncertainty for many:
- Be emotionally and physically available for your child.
- Encourage your child to share their feelings and thoughts.
- Acknowledge and validate their concerns.
- Respect your child's fears whether they seem "rational" or not.
- Maintain sleeping, eating, and general family household routines.
- Facilitate age-appropriate opportunities for children to make choices, giving them a sense of safety and control.