23 Feb How Therapists Can Help Improve Children’s School Experience
by Kara Ferreira
Children spend a majority of their day at school, so it is important that they have a positive and enriching experience while they are there. Unfortunately, not all children have this type of experience. Some children experience bullying, social isolation, or other difficulties that can make school a negative place for them. Others may struggle with learning differences that make school challenging. This is where therapy can help. Therapists can work with children and with their schools to help improve the experience for all children, making sure that each child has the opportunity to succeed.
Many children struggle in school for a variety of reasons, including social anxiety, ADHD, and learning disabilities.
It has been observed that many children struggle in school due to learning differences, such as ADHD and learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety, among others. A great partnership between therapists and schools can ensure that these learning differences are seen as strengths rather than detriments for students. Utilizing the skills of a qualified therapist in the school system can lead to specialized learning plans that help address these learning differences with individualized interventions. Working collaboratively with schools, therapists are able to assess each student’s unique needs, helping them to focus on their own strengths and aiding them in learning more efficiently.
Therapists can help children by teaching them coping mechanisms and helping them to develop social skills.
Coping mechanisms and social skills are tools that therapists can use to help children differentiate themselves from their peers and thrive in school. Coping skills allow children to better manage their thoughts and behaviors, build important relationships with those around them, and gain better control over their emotions. With a therapist’s help, children are well-equipped to develop healthier communication methods, increase overall self-confidence, and become more capable of making responsible decisions for themselves.
Therapists can also work with parents and teachers to create an individualized education plan (IEP) for each child.
For educators, therapists and parents, collaborating to create an individualized education plan (IEP) for a child can be the key to creating a successful learning environment. Therapists have an important role in this process as they can provide insight into the mental and emotional development of students. This in-depth knowledge of how children learn and interact with their environment allows them to come up with creative solutions that empower teachers, parents and children. For example, a therapist might recommend activities or educational tools tailored specifically for each student so as to accommodate different learning styles.
By working together, therapists, parents, and teachers can ensure that every child has a positive school experience.
Creating a positive school experience for every child involves ongoing collaboration between therapists, parents, and teachers. By coordinating their efforts, therapists have the opportunity to provide valuable guidance that makes a real difference to students in need. With their combined expertise and knowledge of their community, parents and teachers can provide invaluable support to help children thrive in the classroom and beyond. This creates an environment where children feel comfortable and empowered to reach their full potential.
Children who struggle in school often do so for a variety of reasons, including social anxiety, ADHD, and learning differences. Therapists can help these children by teaching them coping mechanisms and helping them to develop social skills. In addition, therapists can work with parents and teachers to provide insight and guidance in working with the student, and by creating an individualized education plan (IEP) for the child when appropriate. If your child is struggling with school, a qualified therapist can be an important resource for your family.
Kara is a G3 Contributing Writer.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic, “Child Psychologist: What They Do & Training”
National Association of School Psychologists, “Who Are School Psychologists”
