Ensure there is some physical activity
Recess is usually the most important class of the day in elementary school, and especially for children with ADHD. If parents can make physical activity part of their children’s routines, breaks, and afterschool rewards, their attention, energy, and sleep will be improved.
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They might do a workout with the child for 20 minutes before school starts, go for a short walk, or do jumping jacks during breaks. And getting outside to kick a ball, go for a swim, or otherwise get the heart rate up in the sunshine will be the most important thing parents do for their children after protecting their sleep.
Know your child
Remember parents are the experts on their children. School is the setting in which children are both cultivating their strengths and facing challenges. Ask the parents what has been most challenging for their children about school and what was most cherished about it.
Dr. Susan D. Swick
Parents should get creative to cultivate their children’s strengths. If a child adores art, it will be so important to try to provide that experience during this school year. There might be other virtual resources (virtual museum tours, YouTube art lessons), a local teacher who can offer socially distant lessons, or even another student who might be able to safely share a teacher – getting a creative and social outlet together.
Are there special teachers that the children are missing? Maybe there is a way to send them emails or have some virtual time with them each week.
If a child struggles with the classroom but excells on the soccer pitch, it will be critical to find a physically distant way for the child to develop that strength, whether with a small, informal practice or a new physical undertaking.
Dr. Michael S. Jellinek
Likewise, parents may need to look elsewhere to help their children manage important challenges. Whether a child is learning how to face anxiety or improve social skills, virtual school might seem like a relief as it takes the pressure off. Help parents consider alternate ways that their children could continue to work on these developmental projects while school is virtual, so they don’t lose ground developmentally.
If parents can set reasonable goals, be patient, and focus on the daily routines, and consider the child’s individual developmental strengths and challenges, they may be better able to manage this challenging year. They may even find improved connection, patience, and perspective for both themselves and their children.
Dr. Swick is physician in chief at Ohana, Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, Community Hospital of the Monterey (Calif.) Peninsula. Dr. Jellinek is professor emeritus of psychiatry and pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston. Neither Dr. Swick nor Dr. Jellinek had any relevant financial disclosures. Email them at pdnews@mdedge.com.