Recently, the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021 reported that around 42% of students felt “Persistently sad or hopeless, and nearly 29% of students experienced ‘poor mental health.’” Hearing about this rise in mental health issues in students, it is understandable to be concerned with your child’s health.
An online school is a great option for students who might be dealing with some type of mental health-related struggle, and if that’s the case for your child, it might be time to consider switching to an online school. So please take a look at this blog we’ve created and assess whether or not online school is an option for your child, all while keeping in mind their mental health concerns.
Online School And Mental Health: How To Online School Can Benefit Your Child’s Mental Health
1. Pay Attention To Your Child’s Needs
Before you talk to your child about online schooling, you’ll want to pay attention to how they feel about school first. For some students, dealing with the stress of in-person learning is a lot to deal with. But for some students, in-person learning can push them in a direction that helps overcome stress or anxiety. This is why it is crucial to pay attention to your child’s needs and how they respond to school.
If you’ve noticed any type of expression of anxiety and other mental health issues like depression, try to see what might be causing it. Pay attention to how your child is feeling when it's time for them to go to school. Pay attention to how your child is feeling when it’s time for them to come home after a long day in school.
If you’ve noticed a significant negative mood change when they’re getting ready for school, or if you’ve noticed extreme exhaustion when they come home from school, it might be time to talk to your child about how they truly feel about school. If your child is struggling with their mental health because of school, it is probably time to consider online schooling.
How Can Online School Help My Child?
Online school can help mental health in many ways. Once your child is in an online school, they won’t have the same distractions as they would in a typical school setting.
There won’t be any walking up to the board to write the answer to a math problem, there won’t be any worries of school bullies in the hallway or noisy bus rides in the mornings and afternoons, and there definitely won’t be any worries about sitting alone in the cafeteria.
Being in an online school is a great way to have flexibility over your child’s schedule. Having flexibility over your child’s schedule is a great way to help mental health. Your child will have the ability to focus more on schoolwork and less on those negative distractions we discussed earlier.
Your child won’t be depending on other students to behave properly, or listen to a teacher, and sometimes schoolwork, and lessons will be quicker because of this! Having a more open schedule allows more time for your child to relax, read a book, or even play outside. With an online school, there will be much less pressure to fit in or say the “right” things, and there will be more of a focus on their learning!
What About Too Much Screen Time?
Worrying about too much screen time is a very valid concern, especially with technology use rising. Take a look at this blog we created titled How To Balance Screen Time When Doing Online School which will address those concerns, as well as give tips as to how you can avoid too much screen time.
What If I’m Not Sure How To Help My Child’s Mental Health?
If you’re not sure how to help your child’s mental health, it is always a good idea to consider professional psychological help before transferring to an online school.
When Can Your Child Start At An Online School?
You can start online school at any time. We have many parents who choose to enroll their children mid-school year, due to the unhappiness of their child at their current school. This will depend on what’s best suited for your child and your family.
While transferring as soon as possible may be your best solution due to current circumstances, it could also benefit you to begin at the traditional start of the school year. Reach out to us if you’d like to discuss this further. You may also contact your current school and listen to recommendations from the administration when considering the best time to transfer. Ultimately, you will know what the best choice is for your child.
About Ignite Learning Academy
Ignite Learning Academy is an online private school created to address the unique learning needs of many children and families. Our students are able to structure their day to complete their schoolwork at a time that works for them, and they can accomplish this from any location with an internet connection!
ILA is a great fit for children who are bored in school, have been bullied, suffer from anxiety, have learning disabilities, are gifted, travel frequently, or simply need a new way to receive their K-12 education.
Our mission at Ignite Learning Academy is to:
- propel children’s curiosity for learning
- inspire a passion for knowledge
- develop independent, inquiring minds and intellects
- commit to each child’s personalized learning so they can experience a safe social and emotional environment while gaining skills that prepare them for college and beyond
Contact us today to learn more about our online schooling options!