Resource Guide to Support For Primary School

Message from the Primary School Counsellor

Dear Families,

I recognise this is a stressful time for many families and many children are likely to need emotional support. We remain dedicated to assisting your family through alternative means. I will continue to research creative ways to support your child as needed during this time and will be available via email at revert@islqatar.org.

Please feel free to browse through the Resource Guide or to look at ideas to build your child’s Social Emotional skills on our website. This page contains tips for talking with your children about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and resources for mental health wellness and how to deal with anxiety.

Kind regards,

Reinette Evert

Primary School Counsellor

Guides & Tips

Tips and Strategies to Complete Online Learning at Home

Currently, it is a challenge to make our children learn in the circumstances we are in. It can be exhausting trying to convince them to complete the activities and at times, even damaging to our relationship when it escalates into a fight. Below are just a few suggestions that you can try at home. Remember every family situation is different, and there is not a one size fit all solution. Regardless of what you implement at home, don't be afraid to reach out to the teachers with questions. By facilitating conversations and encouraging communication between the school and families, we can better support you.

Tip 1

The most important obstacle to overcome is to get your child on a good sleep schedule and to make sure that sleep is interrupted as little as possible.

Tip 2

Determine what time of the day your children are the most focused, and don't feel like you should recreate the entire school day.

Tip 3

Find the most comfortable room in your house for your children to work, like the kitchen table, and assign that as the "study spot."

Tip 4

Exercise! Encourage children to be active, whether it's setting up an obstacle course or playing family sports.

Tip 5

You do not have to master every subject. Research things you are unsure about with the children, this will teach them how to do research whenever they have questions.

Tip 6

Whenever you are expecting your children to work, turn off the TV and the radio. You can also create an allocated area where they can keep their cell phones during these times. Try to minimise the distractions.

Tip 7

Take frequent breaks between activities. Let your child get up and move in between activities. It will help them to remain focus on the task at hand. We suggest that you avoid online gaming, videos or technology during this time. Taking breaks that are too long can get in the way of online learning and put children behind their schedule.

Tip 8

Students should own their learning and become more independent. Support and encouragement should be provided while expecting your children to do their part. Struggling is allowed and encouraged, so please don't help too much. You can foster more independence by asking questions like: What classes/subject do you have today? Do you have any assessments? How will you spend your time? What resources do you need? What could we do to improve?

Tip 9

If your child doesn't try to work independently or is complaining over something that they can do, let them know that you trust in their ability to do it by themselves, but you won't help them unless they actually need it. It can be hard to say 'no', but it is worth it.

Tip 10

Read, read, and then read some more. Helping your children to develop a love for reading is the best thing you can do. If they are refusing to do other schoolwork, try to choose any reading material: fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, comic books, celebrity gossip, etc. You can read to them, or they can read to you as much as possible.

Tip 11

Informal learning is great! Activities, like, painting, Lego, playing board games, cooking, and taking a walk, can be educational for children of all ages. Everyone can benefit from time in the kitchen. It provides maths skills, life skills and is also a productive part of the day. Going outside for a walk offers an opportunity to learn in nature, but if you're unable to leave the house or are feeling unwell, options like National Geographic are also available.

Tip 12

Allow them to interact with friends via video chat. Children are used to a lot of social interaction at school. At this moment, they most likely feel disconnected from their friends which can cause anxiety and depression. Try to keep the interaction going between the friends with video chats.

Tip 13

Monitor their progress. Review your child's work, talk to them about what they're learning, and be as engaged as possible in their growth.

Advice on Dealing with Anxiety

Why We Worry

Anxiety is a normal part of life. Understanding where it comes from can help. Everyone experience anxiety; it is a natural human state and an essential part of our lives. Anxiety helps us to identify and respond to danger in 'fight, flight or freeze' mode. It can motivate us to face up to dealing with difficult challenges. Anxiety is an emotional state that can work for us as well as against us.

What Happens In Your Brain and Body During Anxiety (for older children and parents)

HINT: It's pretty awesome!

Understand Your Child's Worry

A Guide of How to Reduce Your Child's Anxiety

Talking To Your Children

Talking to Your Children about scary things can be scary too. Here are some tips on how to:

The Yucky Bug

Social Story on the Coronavirus

For Parents

Return to Calm Journal

When it comes to reducing anxiety, journaling can be a valuable therapeutic outlet. This Journal has some practical writing prompts, strategies, and meditations designed to minimize anxious thoughts and feelings so you can get back to feeling like your true self while building a relationship with your child.

Virusanxiety.com

I know it is difficult. As parents, it is important to remain as calm as possible in front of your children, even if you are freaking out inside. Many times, a child's anxiety is a reflection of our own. We need to focus on what we can control and what we can't.

You can visit Virusanxiety.com for more information on how to look after your own mental health.

For Children

Stress Release Activities for KG to Grade 2

Social Story on the Coronavirus

Be Kind

In My Heart

In This Section

Message from the Primary School Counsellor

Guides & Tips

Tips and Strategies to Complete Online Learning at Home

Tips and Strategies to Complete Online Learning at Home

Tip 1

Tip 2

Tip 3

Tip 4

Tip 5

Tip 6

Tip 7

Tip 8

Tip 9

Tip 10

Tip 11

Tip 12

Tip 13

Advice on Dealing with Anxiety

Why We Worry

HINT: It's pretty awesome!

A Guide of How to Reduce Your Child's Anxiety

Talking To Your Children

Tools and Literature

For Parents

For Children

Resources