Word from the School Counsellor

With a PhD in Guidance and Counselling, a PGD in Clinical Psychology and PGD in Guidance and Counselling, Mrs Rupa Joshi is our BISA school counsellor. Working at the Kisongo site 3 days a week, she supports students individually, is a link with outside agencies and is a very friendly face around the campus. Always here to help, she would like to share a few words of wisdom: 

The coronavirus outbreak has caused major disruptions to daily life and children are feeling these changes deeply. While the return to school will be not only welcome but exciting for many students, others will be feeling anxious or frightened. Here are tips to help your children navigate some of the complicated emotions they may be facing with going back to school.

Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. You can make your child feel at ease by having an open conversation about what it is that’s worrying him/her and letting them know that it’s natural to feel anxious.

On top of the normal stress of following a routine after a long time which for many is difficult in itself, the school has taken many precautions which has made the routines different from the ones our students were used to. Please continue to follow these at home too so the school and home continue to work in partnership and give the same message.

One of the best ways to keep our children safe from COVID-19 and other diseases is to simply encourage regular handwashing. It doesn't need to be a scary conversation. Make sure you they understand that although germs are invisible, they could still be there. When children understand why they need to wash their hands, they’re likely to continue doing so.

You can also show children how to cover their nose and mouth with their elbow, and ask them to tell you if they start to feel like they have a fever, cough or are having difficulty breathing.

In addition to checking on your child’s physical health and learning it is also important to look out for signs of stress and anxiety. It’s important to be calm and proactive in your conversations with children – check in with them to see how they are doing. Their emotions will change regularly and you need to show them that’s okay.

Whether at school or at home, it is really important to help them express and communicate any negative feelings they may be experiencing in a safe and supportive environment. This helps children find positive ways to express difficult feelings such as anger, anxiety, fear or sadness.

As children often take their emotional cues from the key adults in their lives – including parents and teachers – it is important that adults manage their own emotions well and remain calm, listen to children’s concerns, speak kindly and reassure them.

If you are worried about your child, please share your concerns with the school so that our counsellor can help them.

Dr Rupa Joshi

Clinical psychologist/Counsellor