MARSHALL — The start of a new school year is normally a time of excitement and change. With the COVID-19 pandemic, however, a lot more has changed than usual — kids in Minnesota haven’t been in the classroom since March, and area schools have had to make changes to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The adjustment to going back to school during the pandemic can be stressful for children and teens, said Dr. William Del Monte, child and adolescent psychiatrist with Avera Medical Group Marshall. But there are ways that parents and caregivers can help reassure children as they deal with COVID-19 and going back to school, he said.

“Kids are only going to be as confident as the parents,” he said. Being informed about COVID-19, talking with children and teens calmly and confidently, and being willing to listen are all ways to help support them.

Del Monte said he has heard concerns from parents about talking to their children about COVID-19 and adjusting to a different school experience.

“Some of it is still the unknown aspect of things,” he said. The start of a new school year can already be a time when children feel nervous. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic and all the changes it’s brought to schools can add to normal anxiety or stress.

Parents and caregivers can help by taking time to talk with children about COVID-19, how they’re feeling and questions they might have, Del Monte said. It’s important to let kids know it’s OK to feel upset, he said. Parents can also talk about how they deal with stress, so kids can learn some ways to cope with their feelings.

Parents and caregivers may also want to limit how much news coverage and social media about COVID-19 children are exposed to. “They can easily misinterpret what they hear,” and become more scared or stressed, Del Monte said.

When it comes to going back to school during the pandemic, “Parents need to be aware of their own comfort level,” and think about what they’re willing to have their children do, Del Monte said.

If your children are going back to class in person, talking over your school’s plans for COVID-19 can help them get ready for changes like wearing masks at school or keeping a six-foot distance from other people. While most kids have probably worn masks for short periods of time before, “It’s going to be a whole different ball game when they go to school,” Del Monte said. It’s helpful to practice wearing masks, and practice doing other things like washing hands and staying six feet apart from other people. “I hope schools are going to do that too.”

It’s also helpful for caregivers to model healthy behavior at home, like eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep. Staying connected to friends and family members is important, although Del Monte said staying safe during the pandemic may mean getting creative. Bike rides or other outdoor activities are examples of ways to socialize while still maintaining social distance.

Through it all, Del Monte said, it’s important for parents and caregivers to remember that they’re not expected to have all the answers. Even though COVID-19 complicates things, it’s normal for kids to go through a period of adjustment when starting a new school year.

Caregivers may need to take things day by day, and on a child-by-child basis.

“It’s a new situation,” he said.

Avera has information and resources, including tips on talking with children about COVID-19, online at www.avera.org. Del Monte said Avera Marshall also offers help for school-aged children and teens through its COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) program. The program helps individual kids and teens learn skills to help them cope with stressful situations, anxiety, depression and more, he said.