Since online schooling officially began in April 2020, children have had to make adjustments to their lives, study habits and socialisation.

Now, after more than a year out of the physical classroom, even if they are eager, they will have to readjust whenever they return.

Clinical and counselling psychologist Nidhi Kirpalani said, “Kids are craving to go back to school! Go back to seeing their peers, being out of the house, learning to be themselves and playing in after-school activities or team sports.”

With online schooling, some children get aching eyes, headaches, and body aches. They believe they are given too much work, they are having difficulties getting help when they do not understand a topic, and they still have to be on the computer doing homework long after classes are done for the day.

Kirpalani said some of her clients reported it was difficult to focus, as there are more distractions at home, since they either have no privacy or no quiet space in which to work. They find it difficult when they have to stop doing work to do chores, stressful because there is no break from the home environment, and they miss quality time with their friends.

“Some children really dislike online school because being around their friends was a coping strategy, support, and their access to love and normalcy in an abnormal setting.

[caption id="attachment_893738" align="alignnone" width="1000"] In this file photo, Lila Nelson watches as her son, Rise University Preparatory sixth-grader Jayden Amacker, watch an online class in his room at their home in San Francisco on April 9. - AP Photo[/caption]

“Children in abusive, restrictive settings are having a lot of difficulty, as they continuously are in their stressful environment without an avenue to escape it or have their nervous system take a break from the increased stress. Their bodies continuously are exposed to additional stress, (and) as children, they have less control over their environment than do adults.

"When the body is stressed, its difficult for the brain to focus, learn, and memorise new information, particularly on an academic level.”

But some enjoy having classes online, for various reasons. Some do not have to wear uniforms; they can wake up late, roll out of bed, and turn on the computer; since they cannot see their friends in person, at least they get to see them online; and it is something to do while they're home.

Others never enjoyed school in the first place, were probably very introverted or bullied at school, or they get to “slack off” and not turn on their computers or cameras.

Kirpalani said playing is healthy for children and should be encouraged when they return to school.

“Socialising is part of how we learn, grow, and decide what future we want to have. Kids may not need to re-socialised, but it may be very difficult to tell kids that they can’t hug their friends and must stay six feet apart in school. This is not normal human nature, and clearly even