We understand that children often miss more school days during the winter months due to illness. Additionally, parents and teachers might observe children losing interest in their favorite activities and struggling to get through the day during this period. What are the signs indicating that a child might be experiencing burnout, and how can you assist them? Burnout can occur at any moment, but children are particularly prone to seasonal fatigue in the winter, increasing the likelihood of burnout. Cold weather and shorter daylight hours affect children just like they affect adults.
In schools, there’s a higher chance of rainy day schedules, keeping children indoors for most of the day, which limits physical activities like playing football or climbing on monkey bars. Bad weather also curtails after-school activities like visiting playgrounds or playing basketball in the driveway. Classrooms can spread illnesses, and children who become run-down are more susceptible. Beyond the drawbacks of being sick, absent children feel cut off from their friends. Those attending school might also feel lonely if their friends are away. By now, it’s also been several months since the long summer vacation. So it’s not shocking that your child might be feeling fatigued. Burnout is more than just feeling tired or needing a break from routine activities. It involves mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion and can affect both children and adults. In kids, burnout is noticeable in their approach to activities and relationships they once enjoyed.
Short-term indicators include refusal to attend school, increased sleep or troubles sleeping, changes in appetite, coming home very tired, losing interest in discussing their day, or more frequent arguments with friends. Children may also avoid extracurricular activities or family events they normally enjoy. The long-term effects of untreated burnout are more severe. Studies suggest that ongoing stress and exhaustion in children can lead to disengagement from academic activities and avoidance of school. Persistent fatigue and anxiety over a few days can also decrease children’s desire to socialize, leading to social issues and further isolation.
Without proactive intervention, burnout has been shown to cause ongoing declines in physical fitness, attention spans, and working memory. Parents should be vigilant for signs of burnout at this point in the term. Various strategies can support your child, such as giving them a wellness break by letting them stay home from school for a day or two to recharge. Consider taking a break from extracurricular activities and reassessing other regular commitments. Is your child overcommitted? Plan some special family moments like watching a favorite show together or playing board games, letting homework take a back seat for now.
Talk to your child about the importance of reaching out to you or trusted adults when things start to feel overwhelming. If your child doesn’t return to their usual self within a few days, consult their teacher to see what they’ve observed. Educators might offer insights into classroom changes that could be affecting your child’s mood or behavior. If concerns persist, schedule a visit with their doctor to discuss the situation and explore solutions.
Teachers can also support their students during the dreary winter months. It’s likely they’ll also need to recharge halfway into the year. Educators could prioritize wellbeing over educational content, incorporating “gentle afternoons” with mindfulness exercises, yoga sessions, or a focus on physical and mental games. There’s no one-size-fits-all for how long these approaches should last. Parents and teachers know the children well and can assess the situation to find the best way forward.