Colder and darker school days 'tricky' for pupils

Heading back to school as the days get colder and darker can be challenging for pupils, a child psychologist has warned.

Gemma Daniel, who lives and works in Jersey, said the change in the weather and the clocks going back brought difficulties for children as they returned to their classrooms after the October half term.

She said the change in routine can also be hard for parents to handle as they balance family life, childcare and work.

Her advice for people heading into winter was to get a bit of sunshine in the morning and listen to their body when it needs a rest, as it is "OK to take a break".

Daniel said she found that children in Jersey had a lot of pressure socially and academically to "really achieve", which can lead to a lot of comparison and anxiety.

She said changes in routine could be "tricky" for children and their parents to manage.

"For parents, the added stress of childcare during the school holidays and balancing going to clubs and work still can then impact how a child feels about going back into school," Daniel said.

"I think by the October half term, they know what their school year's going to look like now and what their class looks like and who their friends might be.

"If that's not gone so smoothly, or they struggle with the demands or the sensory overload of school, it can be really anxiety-provoking."

She added that finding the motivation to get out during the winter could provide a lot of benefits for children.

"It's easy to forget because, as adults, we tend to manage, and it's just what we're expected to do," Daniel said.

"But it even impacts us - we don't really want to get out of bed in the morning, or we struggle to have that motivation to go outside or exercise.

"Children need encouragement, structure and routine to keep these things going, especially in the darker months."

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