Farah Siddiqui
Ohio News Connection
As Ohio students return to school, mental health experts are emphasizing the importance of a sense of belonging in the classroom.
A national poll by the Kids' Mental Health Foundation found that nearly half of parents worry that excessive screen time is preventing their children from forming meaningful relationships at school.
Ariana Haught, executive clinical director of the Kids' Mental Health Foundation and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, said the start of the new school year will be different for every child: Some will be excited, while others will be very nervous.
“When kids go back to school, what's really important is a sense of fitting in, of belonging, of being connected to the culture and community of the school,” Haught said.
Hoet said creating a classroom environment where students feel safe and connected is important as they face a variety of challenges, from social anxiety to adapting after the pandemic. Parents and teachers can communicate openly about their children's strengths and concerns so they can provide the support they need to thrive.
Tiana Snyder, a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, said it's important to recognize symptoms of mental health concerns in children and adolescents, especially during the back-to-school season when stressors may increase.
“You want to be on the lookout for changes in your child's mood, stomach aches, headaches, nausea, sleep problems, behavioral changes, and any changes in functioning,” Snyder says. “These things might happen every now and then, but if they start to interfere with daily life, that's when you really want to make sure you seek out additional help.”
Howet said teachers play a vital role in shaping the classroom environment, and the relationships and overall influence they have with their students can have a huge impact on students' mental health and sense of connection.
“Teachers have the power to change classroom dynamics,” says Haught, “by creating activities that help kids connect with others and learn about empathy and kindness.”
She said collaboration between parents and teachers was key to creating a supportive environment to enhance academic achievement and students' well-being.
Photo above: According to a survey of more than 1,000 parents across the country, the biggest challenges to connecting in the classroom are spending too much time on technology (50%), bullying (30%) and the social impact of the pandemic (22%). (I/Adobe Stock)
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
