Managing Covid Anxiety in Children

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a multitude of effects on individuals across the globe.

Many people are experiencing different feelings of uncertainty. Adults are worried about their future, job security and the financial obstacles they are facing.

At the same time, our children are also experiencing feelings of fear and anxiety.

Anxiety can manifest in a young person the same way as in an adult. They may feel stuck in different situations and overwhelmed about those specific occurrences, worrying about the outcome.

If this kind of worrying continues for long periods of time, children feel exhausted and isolated, thus limiting themselves to the things they feel they are able to do. This could also lead to self-doubt and lack of confidence. Thus, it is important to showcase and guide children to develop solutions to master life’s challenges, big or small.

Here are some guidelines to help us navigate some of the emotions that we may find our children facing:

1. Acknowledge your child’s fear as you do your own. Do not dismiss or ignore what your child is feeling anxious about. It is important that you take them seriously and that they can see that in any situation they can trust you and come to you for guidance, advice and support.

2. Witnessing you in a state of anxiety can be more than just momentarily unsettling for your child. Children look to their parents for information and how to interpret situations. If they feel constantly anxious, children will become fearful as well. Thus, it is important to find ways which will help calm your nerves and demonstrate reassurance. It could be exercise, participating in creative expression through art, writing or music, or it may be taking a long drive, or even meditation. Getting rid of the anxious feelings will help children feel more at ease when they see that you are handling things in such a calm manner.

3. Your child might be overloaded with information, coming from several avenues with the digital space. We as parents need to provide age-appropriate honesty. In the 21 st century it is not only necessary but beneficial. This will elevate all the ‘fake-news’ that is out there. By having an honest conversation with your child and using words and concepts that they can understand, will allow their world view to expand outside of themselves, in an appropriate manner. You can also take this time to make it a teachable moment, steering your child age appropriately to relevant sources where they can see how far we’ve come in science, life and love. This will help calm anxiety.

4. Do keep to a routine. Keeping to a routine can help children expect predictability, reduce stress and concerns. It helps children gain an understanding of everyday events and procedures and thus they learn what is expected from them. Routines can also help children to become more trusting and feeling comfortable and safe in their environment.

5. When fears rear up, as parents our natural instinct is often to soothe and comfort. However, it would be wise to resist the urge to solve the problem for them. Rather encourage your child gently to do things they might have anxiety about. Do not push them into something that will cause mayhem, but rather guide them to see that the thing they might be fearful of, is the one thing they are capable of facing. It is a chance to practice getting through difficult situations for future life challenges, and sometimes a friendly reminder to us as adults to also take a minute and analyse the situation we are in. It is also best to allow your child to reach the desired solution themselves, and only play a supporting role in getting to that resolution. Encourage your child to take small steps forward. Do not let your child give up or avoid what they are afraid of. Help them take small positive steps forward.

6. Showing your child affection is also very important when they are feeling anxious. This support shows that you are in their corner and will always guide and support them when they need it. It creates a sense of belonging to family and help protect them from future challenges.

Most importantly, it takes a village to raise a child, therefore never be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to your trusted friends, paediatrician and/or general practitioner with any concerns you have about your child’s behavioural or emotional well-being and how to go about managing your stressful situations.

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Building Executive Function Skills in Primary School Children

February 10, 2026

Executive function skills are the mental processes that help children plan, focus, remember instructions and manage their behaviour. These skills act as the brain’s “control system,” guiding how children think, learn and interact with others. In primary school, strong executive function supports academic success as well as emotional maturity, independence and positive social behaviour. For parents and educators alike, understanding how these skills develop is critical to supporting child brain development in meaningful, practical ways. What Are Executive Function Skills? Executive function skills are commonly grouped into three core areas: 1. Working memory: This is the ability to hold and use information. For example, remembering multi-step instructions. 2. Cognitive flexibility. This is the ability to adapt, shift thinking and try new approaches. 3. Inhibitory control: This is the ability to pause, resist impulses and regulate behaviour. When a child remembers their homework, switches from maths to reading and waits their turn to speak, they are using executive functioning in kids in everyday situations. These skills develop gradually and are shaped by experience, guidance and environment. This is especially true during early and primary years. Read more on why early development is important. Why Executive Function Skills Matter in Primary School In school settings, executive skills directly affect learning as well as behaviour. · Working memory in children helps them to follow lessons · Self-regulation skills for students assists in managing emotions · Improving attention in school children is essential during tasks · Impulse control in classrooms helps to reduce disruptions Learners with strong executive functioning are better able to complete tasks, organise their work, manage frustration and collaborate with their peers. These skills also support independence and help children take responsibility for routines, deadlines and their personal behaviour. Key Challenges Children Might Face Some common signs of underdeveloped executive skills include: · Forgetting instructions or losing items · Struggling to switch between different tasks · Acting impulsively or interrupting the class · Difficulty managing emotions · Poor time awareness These challenges don’t mean that a child is lazy or incapable. They often reflect developing brain systems that simply need a little guidance and practice. How Parents Can Support Executive Function at Home Parents play a powerful role in shaping executive function. Simple daily strategies can be incorporated into their day to strengthen these skills naturally. Some helpful approaches include: 1. Create Structured Routines Consistent daily routines help children predict what comes next, strengthening organisation as well as emotional regulation. 2. Use Visual Schedules Charts or picture schedules support working memory in children by making expectations visible. 3. Play Memory and Focus Games Try matching card games, Simon Says, puzzles and sequencing games. These support attention, recall and flexible thinking. 4. Encourage Problem-Solving Let children help with cooking steps, packing school bags and planning simple outings. This builds independence and cognitive flexibility in primary education. When there is strong parental engagement, there is a direct impact on executive growth. Discover more on the impact of parental involvement . Classroom Strategies for Teachers Teachers are ideally positioned to reinforce executive skills on a daily basis. Some effective classroom strategies include: 1. Task chunking - Break assignments into smaller steps to reduce cognitive overload. 2. Use of timers and checklists – These are known to improve time awareness and self-regulation skills for students. 3. Positive Reinforcement - Praise effort, strategy and reflection, not just the outcomes. 4. Mindfulness and calm-down techniques - Simple breathing, quiet corners or reflection time can help strengthen emotional control and attention. These strategies are especially valuable in supporting impulse control in classrooms and improving overall learning flow. When to Seek Extra Help If challenges persist despite consistent support, children may benefit from professional assessment. Some signs for parents and educators to watch for include: · Chronic forgetfulness · Extreme impulsivity · Emotional dysregulation · Difficulty following basic routines Educational psychologists or SEN specialists can help identify neurodivergent patterns (such as ADHD) and guide tailored interventions. Early support ensures children build confidence rather than frustration. Encouraging Growth Through Play and Daily Practice Play is one of the most powerful tools for executive development. Activities that build executive function include: · Storytelling and role-play · Group games - Consider turn-taking or rule-based games · Pretend shops or restaurants · Reflection discussions about feelings or decisions These experiences strengthen executive functioning in kids in a natural and pressure-free way. Schools that prioritise early holistic learning , such as in strong preschool systems, give children a strong base for future academic success. Conclusion: Building Brains for Life Executive function skills are not fixed traits. They are trainable abilities that grow through consistent support, practice and patience. From working memory to impulse control, these skills shape how children learn, behave and relate to others. At Makini School we aim to create a supportive environment where our educators can nurture strong thinkers, confident learners and emotionally resilient students, building not just academic success, but lifelong capability. FAQs 1. What are the three main executive function skills in children? Working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. 2. How can I tell if my child has weak executive functioning? Frequent forgetfulness, impulsivity, emotional difficulty and poor organisation are common signs. 3. What are fun activities to boost executive function in young children? Memory games, storytelling, puzzles, role-play and routine-based tasks. 4. How do executive function skills affect learning in school? They support focus, task completion, emotional control and classroom behaviour. 5. Can executive function skills be improved over time? Yes. With regular practice and supportive environments, executive skills develop steadily throughout childhood.