Educators, just like parents, worry about a child’s well-being. Knowing what behaviors to look out for and when to seek out help is important—for a child’s social, emotional, and physical wellness.
Due to COVID-19 and the state of our world right now, we have all experienced a range of trauma, grief, and loss. As a result, we are using our best coping mechanisms to help us live with these events. Despite that, how do we know when a child’s emotions and behaviors warrant professional help? The Child Mind Institute offers the following questions to ask yourself and your partner when assessing how your child is doing developmentally, socially, and emotionally.
1. Which specific behaviors are worrying you? What is your child doing that has you worried about their development?
2. How often do these behaviors occur? Understanding the behaviors’ frequency can help you determine if they impact the child’s life daily. Take notes of these occurrences.
3. Are these behaviors appropriate for his/her age? It can be challenging to determine if behaviors are “normal” since children and teens exhibit a wide range of behaviors. At what point is it serious enough to seek help? Collaborating with your child’s educators and asking for honest observations of your child in a group and social setting can help you gain a greater perspective of their behaviors. Is he/she more fearful, more disobedient, or more prone to tantrums?
4. How long has the child exhibited the behavior? Typically, problematic behavior in response to an event should go away in time. It’s helpful to know if there is a longevity to a response or an event.
5. Is the behavior disrupting his/her life? If you find that your child cannot participate in activities that they once enjoyed. it’s important to take note, as this can be an indicator that they may need professional help.
If you feel that your child may need professional help, the first step could be talking with your pediatrician first. Although they may not be trained in the mental health field, pediatricians can provide reference to mental health specialists. If you decide that your child can be best supported in school with a school counselor,
Here are some tips to help describe the role of a school counselor to your child:
· Have a conversation with your child about what they are feeling and how they are feeling.
· Ask them how you can best support them.
· Discuss what a school counselor is and what they do. A school counselor is a “feelings doctor” and is there to help children work through strong feelings/emotions. School counselors can help students feel that they are being heard and help validate their emotions. Through this process, children learn strong coping mechanisms to help them deal with their emotions.
School Counseling in Real Time
Students can see their counselors individually or in groups. Some topics that counselors touch upon include, but are not limited to, mindfulness, responsibility, self-control, coping skills, conflict resolution, self-esteem, integrity, the benefits of a positive attitude, perseverance, transitions, and stress management.
If you believe that school counseling would benefit your student, please inquire with your principal about our services. One of our master’s-level counselors can help your child through any adjustments and challenges that they may face to help them be successful both in the classroom and at home.
Source:
https://childmind.org/guide/parents-guide-to-getting-good-care/