Creating Safety for Students During Difficult Times
Overview
Creating a safe and supportive environment for students during difficult times is essential for their emotional and academic well-being. Children and teens may experience distress in various ways, including anxiety, mood swings, withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating. By fostering open communication, maintaining consistent routines, and providing stress management strategies, educators and caregivers can help students navigate challenges more effectively. This guide outlines key approaches to recognizing signs of distress, creating a secure space, and offering age-appropriate support to ensure students feel heard, valued, and emotionally safe.
Common Symptoms of Children/Teens in Distress
- Difficulty focusing in school
- Aggressive behavior/outbursts
- Headaches & stomachaches
- Mood swings
- Clinginess
- Eating and sleeping changes
- Crying
- Feeling afraid
- Anxiety
- Withdrawal
- Feeling angry
Strategies for Supporting All Students
- Create a Safe Space – Have an open environment where students feel comfortable discussing their concerns without fear of judgment.
- Acknowledge Their Feelings – Let students know that you hear their concerns, demonstrating empathy for their experiences and worries.
- Maintain Usual Routines – Routines give students a sense of safety and security. Offer as much consistency, predictability, and stability as you can.
- Stress Management – Give students activities to help them manage stress, such as taking deep breaths, journaling, exercising, talking to a friend, drawing pictures, and spending time with family and friends.
Tips for Younger Students
- Encourage Healthy Play – Healthy play is crucial for young children to process their feelings.
- Answer Questions Simply – When children ask questions, respond honestly but at an age-appropriate level, using simple language. Reassure them of your presence: “Sometimes scary things happen, and we are here to support each other.”
Tips for Adolescents
- Share Facts – Proof of U.S. citizenship is not required to enroll in Richardson ISD; therefore, school employees do not have access to this type of information.
- Encourage Students to Talk – Talking to a trusted adult or a school counselor can help teens learn to manage their emotions in healthy ways.
Additional Support for Adults
- Check in with students regularly to see how they’re feeling and if they need additional support.
- Reach out to your school counselor for additional support for your child/student.
- Make your own well-being a priority. Children and teens often feel anxious when the adults around them are worried. They do much better when the adults in their lives are healthy and calm.