BEIJING: Temperatures are rising, trees are budding and the days are getting brighter, but some children across the country are struggling with the start of a new school semester.
While many experience post-vacation blues, experts say there are ways to ease these transitions back to normal daily life.
“After a pleasant winter holiday, children’s brains have adapted to a state of freedom, relaxation, irregular lifestyles and low stress levels. Therefore, their prefrontal cortex, responsible for regulating emotions, needs to readjust to the upcoming school routine,” said Cui Yonghua, chief physician at Beijing Children’s Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University.
Concerns about unfinished homework, new coursework and fears of lagging behind, separating from the family or being isolated in class can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, Cui said during a Thursday news conference held by the National Health Commission. Primary and middle school students in China begin their new semesters this week. To help children adjust, Cui suggested they reset their sleep schedules to match school hours three to five days in advance and create study plans to prepare for new courses.
“Another feasible approach is to interact with classmates proactively when returning to campus, sharing anecdotes or discussing study plans together, and engaging in group activities,” he said.
A growing number of outpatient clinics for students struggling with school have opened in recent years, according to Wu Renrong of the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. She urged parents to take a rational approach to school-related difficulties. “Such clinics typically integrate professional resources from child psychiatry, psychology and education. They help parents and children identify the root causes of their issues and provide targeted treatment and interventions,” she said. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
