Episode 22
Overcoming Elementary Spring Fever
The primary focus of our discussion today revolves around the concept of assisting students as they conclude the academic year, particularly in the context of spring fever. As the weather warms and the school year nears its end, students often experience heightened excitement coupled with fatigue, which can impede their academic performance. We are privileged to have Elizabeth Hatcher, Cobb's esteemed school counseling consultant for elementary levels, share her insights on practical strategies that parents can employ to support their children during this pivotal time. These strategies include maintaining consistent routines, acknowledging emotional states without excusing negative behaviors, and fostering an environment conducive to learning and emotional regulation. By integrating these approaches, we can effectively facilitate our children's academic success while also reinforcing their confidence as they transition into the next phase of their educational journey.
Guest: Elizabeth Hatcher, School Counseling Consultant - Elementary
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Takeaways:
- In this episode, we discussed effective strategies for assisting students as they approach the end of the academic year.
- The importance of maintaining a structured routine cannot be overstated, particularly in mitigating end-of-year fatigue.
- Parents should actively monitor their child's emotional state and provide supportive encouragement during this challenging period.
- Recognizing the signs of academic overwhelm is crucial for parents to help their children navigate the final weeks of school successfully.
Transcript
Got a kid in school with spring fever.
Speaker A:Helping them cross the finish line is our topic today on the Inside Scoop.
Speaker A:Hello and welcome back to the Inside Scoop.
Speaker A:I'm David Owen.
Speaker A:I particularly want to welcome all of you new audience members.
Speaker A:If you're new to the podcast, you can find a whole library of content from prior episodes that might cover something helpful to you and your family.
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Speaker A:Today we're going to get some practical tips on helping your student get to the end of the year successfully.
Speaker A:Joining me to share her wealth of knowledge on this topic is our school counseling consultant for the elementary level, Elizabeth Hatcher.
Speaker A:Elizabeth, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker B:Thank you for having me.
Speaker A:You have been here before, I think we were talking at that point about kindergarten kids rising, actually parents, parents dealing with their kids rising from preschool to kindergarten.
Speaker A:But this time we're kind of following those kids, I guess.
Speaker A:And we are looking at, I would say the basis being spring fever.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:Adults have it, kids have it, and teachers have to deal with that.
Speaker A:So as we move into these final weeks of the year, what emotional and behavioral elements are teachers most challenged by?
Speaker A:Or what does that whole landscape look like, particularly in the elementary school level?
Speaker B:Yeah, great question.
Speaker B:So you know we're just coming back from spring break, right?
Speaker B:Which often leads to disruptions of sleep patterns that screen time habits change.
Speaker B:Your daily routines are different.
Speaker B:You know, right now we have those longer days, those long beautiful sunny weather that we're in right now.
Speaker B:And it can increase kids excitement, but it can also make it harder for our students to wind down in the evenings.
Speaker B:So it's important that we keep that energy in check.
Speaker B:You know, we want to return to a predictable structure as soon as we can.
Speaker B:That helps the kids feel safe and regulated, you know, and having these strong finishes to the end of the year really does build confidence for moving forward and that end of year momentum, it does matter academically.
Speaker A:Okay, so a lot of parents are probably hearing more resistance around all of that right now.
Speaker A:Some would say their enthusiasm for homework has diminished, but frankly, I've never seen my kids have enthusiasm for homework.
Speaker A:But what's behind that end of your fatigue?
Speaker A:I know, and this is maybe a little bit of a rabbit trail.
Speaker A:Hopefully we are done with pollen season.
Speaker A:Pollen itself can be a factor.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:So drinking a lot of found in our family can really help with that.
Speaker A:But is what parents say or do able to help their child push through that level of Fatigue.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:And you know what comes with the end of the year?
Speaker B:The end of the year brings just more, right?
Speaker B:You have more.
Speaker B:You have the end of course testing or the milestones.
Speaker B:There's those special final performances, there's end of season celebrations, maybe graduations.
Speaker B:And you know, that can add pressure and reduce downtime.
Speaker B:So some practical tips for that.
Speaker B:Build in that recovery time after school.
Speaker B:You know, some quiet play, movement outdoors or sensory activities.
Speaker B:It can really help kids reset before they start that homework or their evening routine.
Speaker A:I was going to say that's one of the best memories that I have is coming looking forward to just some outside time, riding your bike or what have you.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker A:What else?
Speaker A:What other practical tips?
Speaker B:Start breaking tasks into manageable pieces.
Speaker B:When you see that energy and focus start to dip, remember to break it into smaller steps.
Speaker B:Take a short break and it can really help kids get through without becoming overwhelmed.
Speaker B:Big one, Protect sleep.
Speaker A:Amen to that.
Speaker B:Consistent bedtimes and time to relax are so important for emotional regulation and attention, especially when school and life gets as busy as it is right now at the end of the year.
Speaker B:And parents watch for those signs of overload.
Speaker B:Maybe it's increased irritability, extra avoidance of schoolwork, more than normal, frequent complaints of headaches or stomach aches.
Speaker B:Those can be signs that your kiddo is becoming overwhelmed.
Speaker B:And just some important things to remember that fatigue is developmentally normal right now.
Speaker B:We want to validate their feelings without excusing the behaviors.
Speaker B:Keep after school routines as consistent as possible, but remember to celebrate those everyday small wins.
Speaker A:I like what you said about keeping the, or rather validating the feelings without excusing the behaviors.
Speaker A:Would you say that it's helpful for the parent to chime in with, hey, I totally understand that perspective.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker A:I did it myself.
Speaker A:But the reality is we have to push through.
Speaker A:Is that helpful?
Speaker B:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker B:You know, I know you're tired, understand that you're worn out, but remembering that even because you're tired doesn't excuse to hurtful things or breaking rules and that kind of thing.
Speaker A:Okay, yeah, I'm totally on that page with you for sure.
Speaker A:So with testing season, I think, fully underway now.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker A:The testing window, as they call it, has opened.
Speaker A:Teachers are, they're still teaching throughout testing season.
Speaker A:It's not like all classes are sitting back and kids can sleep, although they may try, particularly as they're growing into teenagers.
Speaker A:There's a real academic challenge there.
Speaker A:What are some practical ways that parents can help their elementary student stay focused and current with their schoolwork during These last final weeks, even during the testing season.
Speaker B:Sure.
Speaker B:So, you know, as we work to keep our academic momentum going, I first want to recognize to our parents and caregivers, this time of the year can be tiring for you also.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:And the continued support that they give truly does mean so much to the children.
Speaker B:But you know, acknowledge to your child how hard they are working and remind them that it is okay to ask for help.
Speaker B:But some of those just practical tips for parents are to keep up those routines and strategies that you have been doing all year.
Speaker B:Things like checking your folders and planners nightly in the backpacks.
Speaker B:Remember to limit distractions during homework time.
Speaker B:Keep reading together every single night.
Speaker B:Read together.
Speaker B:Or make sure that you're.
Speaker B:If you have an older elementary that they're reading on their own and reduce late night screen time.
Speaker B:You know, that will help with the much needed sleep that we mentioned earlier.
Speaker A:For sure.
Speaker A:And for what it's worth, we did a podcast with your co worker Barbara Truluck on getting through the testing season in particular.
Speaker A:And a lot of these things are just standard baseline things, but they are particularly helpful during this season, not just testing season, but during that run up to the finish line, so to speak, the end of school.
Speaker A:So standardized testing is something that Barbara covered quite a bit and some great tips there.
Speaker A:But what's your advice for helping elementary school students approach that testing with confidence rather than dread.
Speaker A:And how can the way parents talk about tests at home make a difference?
Speaker A:Kind of the tone of parenting during that season?
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:So remember to focus on encouragement, on effort, on persistence and growth, rather than outcomes or grades.
Speaker B:You know, kids take their cues from their adults.
Speaker B:That's true as parents, if we stay calm, if we use positive test language, they're going to hear that, they're going to internalize that again, those basics that we should be doing all the time.
Speaker B:But especially now, prioritize that sleep before testing days, which can be hard if you're with everything else going on.
Speaker A:And you were talking about for the student.
Speaker B:Oh, I think we all need it.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker A:I had to make the clarification.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:For everybody.
Speaker A:Naps.
Speaker A:Not bad.
Speaker A:Okay, I'm sorry to interrupt.
Speaker B:Prioritize sleep before testing.
Speaker B:We said that be sure that the kids get a good breakfast.
Speaker B:It's easy to get in a rush and not think about it.
Speaker B:Or the kids say that they're hungry, but maybe they're not hungry because they've actually got a little.
Speaker B:Some nerve.
Speaker B:But they do need to eat a good breakfast.
Speaker B:Again, parents avoid overemphasizing test outcomes.
Speaker B:And remember that the teachers have worked with the kids, you know, and so they should be pretty familiar with what to expect.
Speaker B:And lastly, remind kids of their strengths.
Speaker B:Focus on the positive that the kids have going for them.
Speaker A:So as the kids say, nowadays you've got this.
Speaker A:It goes a long way.
Speaker B:It sure does.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:Especially coming from their adults.
Speaker A:So these final weeks are not only demanding for the students and the parents, but they're also demanding for teachers trying.
Speaker A:So I'm hesitant to bring one in just to quiz them because they go through an awful lot to get our students, our children, where they need to be academically.
Speaker A:So how can parents be a genuine partner or help right now for that matter?
Speaker A:Ways that help the child succeed, but also show the teachers that they're appreciated during this incredibly busy time of year.
Speaker B:Yeah, I love this question.
Speaker B:And it can actually be really simple things.
Speaker B:Reach out to the teachers to see if they need help with planning those culminating activities like the end of year testing or any of maybe the end of your parties or upcoming performances.
Speaker B:Maybe there's some graduation stuff going on.
Speaker B:But all those extras take extra time and planning and energy from the teachers as well.
Speaker B:So help from the parents is very appreciated.
Speaker B:Remember to partner with the teachers or the counselors or the school staff if a concern arises, because that collaboration really supports student success.
Speaker A:Just knowing that you've got people on your side is invigorating.
Speaker B:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker B:And then simple ways that you can support teacher are to send a sincere specific note of thanks, reinforce those classroom expectations at home.
Speaker B:You know, if there are communications that come through, be sure to read them and respond promptly if necessary.
Speaker B:Like I mentioned, there's a lot of extra stuff going on.
Speaker B:So if you could volunteer within your capacity.
Speaker B:You know, not everybody is able to take time to go into the school, but maybe there are some things that you can send into the classroom that could help.
Speaker B:And remember that just a kind word to teachers and to staff.
Speaker B:It really goes a long way.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Now, when we were talking about volunteering in the school or the classroom, a lot of people don't have that option.
Speaker B:Correct.
Speaker A:But if you do have like a vacation allotment of time and can, it's a really worthwhile investment of that time.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker B:I think that the parents will actually really wind up enjoying it and see it more as well some fun and get a great insight.
Speaker A:I've heard.
Speaker A:And not to dwell on this too much, but even doing something as simple as making copies for the teacher or helping to move a box of books from point A to point B. I don't know what all goes on in between their work in the classroom.
Speaker A:I know there's an awful lot of just minutia.
Speaker A:Is that the kind of stuff that a parent could help with?
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:It's dependent on school to school and teacher to teacher what they might need.
Speaker B:You also find, especially with the young, younger ones, that there are things that you can do at home.
Speaker B:Maybe there's things that need to be cut out or that kind of thing, but just reach out to the teacher to see what kind of different options there are and how you can pitch in in a way that fits in with your schedule.
Speaker A:So you don't necessarily have to be there during your workday, but you can take it home.
Speaker A:That's a good idea.
Speaker A:I like that.
Speaker A:So you have provided an awful lot of insights that parents can truly latch onto.
Speaker A:But if there's one, say, mindset shift or just one value or concept that the viewers could take with them, if nothing else, what would you say is the most important one that you would offer up?
Speaker B:So you know, this time of year it is, it can be so exciting and exhausting all at once.
Speaker B:So I would just really encourage parents to remember that structure, flexibility, encouragement and attention to regulation are really important.
Speaker B:Remember, just to focus on the progress, not necessarily perfection.
Speaker B:And above all else, celebrate efforts, celebrate the little successes, celebrate where we can.
Speaker A:That's fantastic.
Speaker A:Thank you so much, Elizabeth.
Speaker A:You've been a great help to me.
Speaker A:I've got kids in school, not elementary, but some of those things do apply to the older levels as well.
Speaker A:Absolutely appreciate you coming on and sharing once again.
Speaker A:Thank you for having me.
Speaker A:So if you heard something from today that really caught your attention and maybe it perked up, hey, that's not a bad idea for my kid.
Speaker A:Make sure you give us a like.
Speaker A:It helps us spread the word to other parents who might be needing this kind of help.
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Speaker A:Subscribe all the things thank you for listening to this edition of the Inside Scoop, a podcast produced by the Cobb County School.
