Dealing with Stress

I recently read about a theory that stress is caused when the human brain does not have control over the environment. Think about it- the times that we get most stressed are the times such that we are waiting for a response from someone, we don’t know if we will be able to keep a deadline, or we don’t know the final result of a health issue. It seems quite true that unpredictable and unexpected circumstances cause tension, stress and eventually impact our efficiency and even relationships.

We can apply this to the way we deal with students and teachers. Students are calm and learn better when they know exactly what to expect. Examinations are less stressful if students have gone through a model exam and have been guided through that process.

Similarly, parents are less stressed when they are given clear updates on what’s happening with their child. Realistic timelines, dates and deadlines makes it easier for them to participate in activities and support you during the school year. If you think that a parent conference may take 2 hours, don’t say that it should be done in 1 hour. If you need three days to respond to a parent on a query, don’t tell them that you will get back to them as soon as possible (which is open to their interpretation).

In addition, a classroom that’s open to parent and student feedback helps them feel more in control. Just knowing that the teacher is someone who will listen to their difficulties and suggestions gives both parents and students a sense of comfort and belonging.

What are some ways by which we can decrease stress for parents and students as we orient them to the new school year?