When COVID-19 hit Malaysian shores, our lives completely changed. Our school-going children were among one of the most affected in this outbreak, and took a toll on them not only physically, but mentally as well.

It’s been about a year of learning from home, and it has built up a variety of habits and norms that now can prove to be major stumbling blocks. Whether it is lax attention spans or relaxed attitudes to discipline or perhaps being overwhelmed by the shift of going back to school and increased contact with others. There are many real issues that young children are facing that could pose longer term threats.

So how exactly can we spot or tell that our children are distressed? And more importantly how do WE, as parents tackle this mental and emotional issue that they are going through?

Tell-Tale Signs of Distressed Children in Preschools

In an online discussion led by Sherlin Chang, Assistant Manager Early Years Education, Beaconhouse Malaysia and accompanied by Rachel Khong, Deputy Principal, BNEY Ampang, parents and educators discussed a number of distressed signs that they notice in young children as they head back to school in the new norm.

Some of the tell-tale signs that children are distressed include:

• Crying for long periods of time – Young children that head back to school may cry for long periods of time when sent to school. This could be due to separation anxiety of having to be away from mum or dad after being so comfortable at home for the past year.

• Low appetite – What children eat at home and in school might differ. They could be having a lot of snacks at home instead of proper food, which results in low appetite while in school.

• Wetting their pants – Toilet trained children could start wetting their pants again due to anxiety. It could be that they’re feeling intimidated with the new environment and people surrounding them.

• “I don’t know”, “I don’t want” & “You help me” attitude – This is part of stress and emotional well being. Most children are used to parents doing everything for them, they become dependent on parents and might refuse to do things themselves.

• Lack of attention – Excessive screen time is one of the leading causes for children’s lack of attention.

• Over joy or excitement- While some children cry, some tend to be overjoyed or too excited, which can also be a sign of coping with emotional anxiety.

• Feeling sleepy – Not having a proper schedule, staying up till late night and waking up late are some of the causes for children feeling sleepy in class

So What Can We Do to Help?

For children, adapting to a new normal might not be very easy on them. Going back to school means that they would need to readjust from screen learning to learning in-person. Everything that they’re used to on a day to day basis for the past year is now taken away from them and this can indeed be stressful.

One of the major ways that we can overcome or ease their mental and emotional well being is cooperation between parents and the school. Parents and teachers should work together hand-in-hand to make the transition as easy as possible for the children. For example, parents should encourage their children to sleep early, so they won’t feel sleepy in school.

Besides that, we have to accept that the use of technology is something we cannot get rid off. But what we can do is to guide our children to use gadgets wisely and in moderation. Teach our children to have a sense of responsibility instead of confiscating their gadgets all the time.

Last but not least, is to acknowledge their stress. Talk to them and also be open to listen and to be understanding. Approach them with sincerity and make them feel safe. Even at a young age, children do get stressed, so show them that whether in good time or bad time you’re always there to support them.