Page 34 - Waterfall City Issue 3 March 2024

Waterfall City Today’s Child

Literacy, Numeracy, and Life Skills, but
suddenly, kids are thrust into a more
formal academic world, complete
with a string of subjects, cycle tests,
a wider variety of teachers, and the
need to work quickly in order to keep
within the school timetable. Then,
there is the added peer pressure and
hectic extra-mural commitments with
minimal downtime.

Like most things, some will take to it
like a duck to water. But some really
struggle, especially those who have
already found the academic world
more challenging than expected.
Some have already been referred
for assessments by this stage due to
their distractibility, inattention, poor
work ethic, and poor performance.
The assessments usually pursue
a diagnosis of ADHD or a similar
learning challenge.

However, very often, these
assessments end up revealing
something else. Intelligent and Parents are well-meaning. They want then still trying to keep up with school.
capable kids are stifled by a system their kids to do well at school to
that tries to squish them into an set them up for a bright future in a What they need are opportunities to
ill-fitting box, leaving them crippled competitive world. We want them to engage in hobbies that revitalise them
with anxiety and low self-esteem. participate in team sports or other and have no expectations, to spend
And when the anxiety is tackled, the sports and cultural activities to build quality time with their families, and to
children often thrive.
character, create social bonds, and achieve the elusive work/life balance
be ‘off their screens.’ But it can be that we adults work so hard to achieve.
This often sits just under the surface overwhelming and counterproductive.
during the earlier years, and when Finding a balance
grade four starts, the wheels come off. Sometimes, they just need to be kids. We also want our children to grow up
I can hardly count the times I’ve had a resilient so they can handle life’s hard
So, how can we help? child in tears in my classroom because knocks. Trying to avoid or eliminate the
The most important thing we can do they are so disappointed in a test source of their anxiety can disempower
for our kids is to be present enough result. And when I tried to reassure them. The key is to help them manage
to recognise the signs, communicate them and comfort them, their response it and to recognise it. When they feel
with them, and make them feel safe to was along the lines of, ‘My parents are safe enough to discuss their feelings,
communicate with us. Awareness of going to kill me!’ they will also be open to letting you
your children’s mental health is just as know when the pressure is just too
essential as physical health. I’ve had children experience full- overwhelming, and you can help them
blown panic attacks. When we sit and choose the activities that give them an
I am not a doctor or a psychologist. chat, I discover that they struggle to outlet and walk away from the ones
I am just a teacher and a mom who keep up with schoolwork because that smother them.
dealt with these issues on the ground their afternoons are full of karate
and speaks from my observations classes, horse riding, gymnastics, and We constantly push concepts like ‘don’t
and experience. The extremely high swimming practice – the list goes on. give up,’ ‘stay committed’, and ‘don’t quit.’
expectations and pressure on kids While these things are great outlets While this serves a purpose and is a
often stood out to me. And grade four when done in moderation, many kids good attitude in many cases, it’s about
is where it really rears its head for the are doing more than one of these a balance, self-care, and knowing your
first time. day, getting home at supper time and limits. Keep your expectations realistic,

32 Waterfall City Issue 3 2024