Elementary school classrooms are usually full of energy, curiosity, learning but also various types of challenges. While academics are often the main focus in a classroom, it's crucial to remember that a child's mental health is just as important for their overall success and wellbeing. Unfortunately, children are not immune to mental health challenges. Nearly half of adolescents will experience some form of a mental health disorder by their late teens. The most prevalent in childhood include anxiety and depression, ADHD. Neurodivergence and conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia) can also present challenges in the classroom.
As an educator or adult in an elementary classroom, being aware of the signs and symptoms of these challenges allows for early intervention, which can significantly improve a child's overall well-being and academic success.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Things to look for include changes in mood or behaviour, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal, unexplained physical complaints, or disruptions in sleep and eating patterns. Anything that deviates significantly from a child's normal behaviour warrants attention.
Changes in Mood or Behavior
Increased Irritability or Anger: Look for frequent outbursts and frustration over
minor inconveniences that weren't typical for the child before.
Pay attention to a child who seems withdrawn, tearful, or expresses feelings of
hopelessness or worthlessness for extended periods.
Unexplained mood swings, where a child goes from happy to sad or angry very
quickly, can be a cause for concern.
If a child who used to love playing sports or drawing suddenly loses interest in
these activities, it could be a sign of something deeper.
Difficulty concentrating
A child who is easily distracted, becomes sidetracked by noise or movement in the classroom may be struggling to focus on tasks.
If a child seems to have trouble following directions or completing multi-step tasks, it may be due to difficulty concentrating.
A child who daydreams, seems lost in thought or disconnected from the present moment could be struggling to focus. Social withdrawal
A normally outgoing child starts to avoid social interaction or prefers to be alone during playtime.
A child who abruptly ends a close friendship or withdraws from their usual social circle.
Pay attention to a child who seems hesitant to make eye contact or participate in conversations with classmates or teachers.
Physical Symptoms
If a child complains of physical ailments that doctors can't find a medical explanation for, it could be related to stress or anxiety. Anxiety often manifests in the form of headaches or stomach aches.
A child who seems constantly tired or lacks their usual energy levels could be struggling emotionally.
Significant loss of appetite or overeating
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This could manifest as restlessness, nightmares, or early morning wakings. While some children naturally require more sleep, a sudden increase in sleep duration could also be a cause for concern.
Self-Harm (often more prevalent in older children)
Self-inflicted scratches, cuts, or bruises. These injuries may be hidden by clothing or accessories.
Excessive risk-taking behaviours.
Talking about suicide or wanting to die. It is crucial to take any mention of suicidal ideation seriously and seek immediate help.
Remember that every child is unique and the important thing is to be mindful of any significant changes from their normal behaviour.
Once a mental health issue has been identified, early intervention is key.
Addressing mental health challenges in the classroom is not just about supporting individual students, but has a positive impact on the entire learning environment.
Studies show that when students feel supported emotionally, their focus and concentration improve, leading to better academic performance. It also helps enhance social skills and gives children the tools to build healthy relationships, communicate effectively, and develop skills to maintain overall wellbeing.
By teaching children healthy coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, we can help them manage their emotions in a positive way. Along with a supportive environment, this can nurture their self-esteem and confidence, which are crucial for overall well-being. Below are some strategies to help support students in the classroom and tips for creating a supportive classroom environment.
Strategies for supporting children
Open communication and active listening: Set up a regular "check-in" time where students can confidentially share their feelings. Actively listen by making eye contact, using body language that shows you're engaged, and avoiding interrupting. You can also normalize conversations about mental health by reading age-appropriate books about emotions or inviting a school counsellor to speak to the class.
Celebrate student effort and progress through psitive reinforcement, not just academic achievement. Recognize students who persevere and try their best even if they aren’t successful right away.
Structure and consistency in routines and schedules provide a sense of security and predictability for young learners. Displaying a daily schedule,
using consistent transitions and posting visual aids is often useful for students and helps with their wellbeing.
Incorporate social-emotional learning activities that help children identify and manage their emotions, develop empathy, and build healthy relationships.
Simple mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques like deep breathing can equip children with tools to manage stress and anxiety. This can also be as simple as a few minutes of quiet
reflection time at the beginning or end of the day.
Collaboration with parents and teachers: Work together with parents, teachers and other adults to develop a support system that addresses the needs of each child. This could involve creating a behaviour management plan at home that complements what's done in the classroom.
Building a Supportive Classroom Environment
The foundation of a healthy learning space lies in a supportive classroom environment. Here are some key elements to consider:
Cultivate a classroom where everyone feels valued, respected, and safe to be themselves. This can be done by taking time to get to know the children in the classroom, teaching and using inclusive language and practicing empathy.
Establish clear expectations for behaviour and procedures, and provide a predictable daily routine. This is especially important in younger years when students are still developing their self regulation skills. Co-creating classroom rules can help students become involved and foster a sense of accountability.
Encourage open communication and dialogue with students by engaging them in conversations and having regular discussions and check-ins. Active listening can be done by paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues and giving students your full attention when they are speaking to help show you care.
Use partner work, small group and whole-class activities to cater to different learning styles and preferences. Recognize and acknowledge the teamwork and communication skills students demonstrate during group activities to encourage more positive interactions. Group activities and projects not only promote teamwork and communication skills, but also foster a sense of belonging and community within the classroom.
Recognize that all students learn differently. Provide accommodations for different needs through differentiated instruction, assistive technologies, and flexible learning arrangements to cater to a variety of learning styles and needs. Opportunities for movement breaks, and extra time for activities when necessary can also be helpful for student learning and wellbeing.
Encourage students to view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Celebrate and emphasize effort and perseverance as well as achievement. Also, normalizing mistakes by creating a safe space where students feel comfortable taking risks and learning from their mistakes can help them develop resilience and perseverance.
By creating a supportive classroom environment and looking for signs of mental health challenges, educators and adults can play a vital role in fostering well-being in students. Early intervention is crucial, and the strategies and resources mentioned here can equip us to provide the support children need to thrive.
Sources:
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