Changing school or classes can cause problems for many children. As parents or guardians there are ways we can help and support our children through their school years.
It is important that we are available and encourage children to talk and show interest in what they are doing at school. It is also important to encourage them to work on their own at times.
Common problems that children may encounter through school:
Bullying
Five signs that your child may be being bullied:
- They come home with scratches or bruises
- They start to lose things at nursery or school
- They become easily upset
- They suddenly don’t want to see certain children
- They start to bully younger siblings.
If you suspect your child is being bullied, encourage them to talk to you or someone else:
- Don’t force them to speak or get angry
- Remember to listen and try and understand their fears
- All schools have anti-bullying policies, talk to the school having noted times and dates of any incidents
- Keep notes of any meetings and contact the Local Education Authority if no action is taken
Tips to encourage your child to talk:
- As you cuddle up before bedtime, ask your child, “What’s the best thing that happened today and what’s the worst?” Try to make this a routine.
- If your child starts to talk about bullying, encourage them by saying, “What else happened?” It can be easy to ask, “Are you sure?” Avoid this and let your child tell the story.
Peer pressure
Children usually want to fit in with the other children around them. As a parent or guardian, it is important to take an interest in their friends and activities. Talking to children about difficult subjects such as sex and drugs encourages them to be open with you. Remember that children need boundaries as well as support and encouragement.
workplacewellbeing.com assumes no responsibility for the content of linked websites.
