Winnipeg web wizard Doug McArthur was stopped in his tracks one day this past summer when he noticed his little guy’s latest LEGO creation: the classroom he hadn’t been able to learn in for months. Local doctor Tamara Miller noticed her son had put out his own first-day-of-school clothes, weeks before he was scheduled to attend.
At Brightling, we spend all day, every day, surrounded by kids who each have their own ways of telling us what they’re thinking and how they’re doing. Some come straight out and tell us what’s up; others communicate where they’re “at” through the questions they ask. Others again speak to us through their actions, their moods, and the cycles of their emotions.
Six months into this pandemic, now’s a good time to take a step back and evaluate how the kiddos are doing. There are so many factors contributing to children’s behaviour, from normal age-appropriate development to other environmental changes… but the changes to “normal” family and school life COVID-19 has necessitated may be affecting them, too.
If your child isn’t inclined or able to tell you something is bothering them, but you have noticed increased moodiness, difficulty with sleep or appetite, being clingy, or having unexplained tummyaches, it’s possible they’re struggling to make sense of things.
For the littlest ones, make the time to have more cuddles, more reading together, and personal interaction games. They may not be old enough to understand what’s going on, but if they’re feeling unsettled, you can help right things by just giving them that extra feeling of connection and security.
If your child is older, those same things can work – but there’s more you can do to help them develop coping skills, too.
Please reach out to us at the Centre if you have concerns about how your kiddo is coping with things; we’re your partners in keeping our children happy and healthy.