Given that there are many kinds of loss that pupils may have experienced over this time, you may see different kinds of emotional responses. Children and young people will respond in different ways to challenging experiences. The same child may display different responses from day-to-day.
Read more about children and young people’s responses to grief here:
Cruse Don’t dismiss concerning behaviour
When something momentous happens, it can be tempting to see everything in that context. However, we shouldn’t ignore signs that something more serious is going on. Our Associate Director of Programmes (England), psychotherapist Jane Caro, highlights some signs that you should refer a pupil for extra mental health support:
A significant change in mood that lasts longer than a few days. Signs may include low energy, withdrawal from social contact with friends, difficulty concentrating in lessons, being tearful.
A significant change in weight – either increase or decrease – as appetite is often affected by mental health struggles.
Tiredness lasting for more than a few days – may indicate changes in sleep patterns which can be linked to mental health concerns.
Angry outbursts that seem out of character.
Secretive behaviour, for example around mealtimes or PE lessons. You might notice signs that the young person is avoiding their body ‘being seen’ in a way that is unusual for them.
Any signs of self-harming behaviour e.g. visible signs of cutting or bruising on the skin.
Learning might have to wait
Pupils may not feel able to learn at the same pace as they have done before, and may show disruptive behaviour. Disrupted ability to focus is a common experience for children and young people who have experienced bereavement or trauma. Finding time to allow them to work through their experiences and plan for what they need in order to be ready to learn could be helpful, if you are able to schedule them in. However, it is also important to acknowledge that some pupils, particularly those who are entering exam years, may be anxious to start learning again and make sure they are making up for lost time.
Whilst we anticipate that lesson time might feel challenging for pupils as they are asked to focus on learning whilst the pandemic continues, it is also important to remember that unstructured time in school hours (break and lunch times, before and after school) may also be a difficult time for some children.
Reference for above and for further reading:
https://www.mentalhealth...-pupils-return-to-school
