In today’s fast-paced world, it is not only parents who feel the brunt of exhaustion after their working day. However, a growing number of school-going children are experiencing extreme tiredness after their school day ends.
When children, who are normally energetic, full of life, and well behaved are tired after their school day and are acting out of character, they might be suffering from ‘after-school fatigue’, also called ‘post-school tiredness’.
Says Genevieve Allen, founder and CEO of the Club Engage franchise: “Many might question if after-school fatigue is a real thing, and the answer is Yes! After-school fatigue has been observed in children worldwide and appears to be a growing occurrence in South Africa.”
“After-school fatigue is a reality,” says Dr. Melodie de Jager, Founder of Mind Moves Institute (MMI). She is backed up by Laura Moavero, Enriching Conscious Parent Coach, who agrees and says it is a huge problem. “If after-school fatigue is not addressed, our children are going to face chronic childhood fatigue syndrome which can have long-term effects in adult life,” she adds.
After-school fatigue is a common issue for primary school children, that can significantly impact their daily lives, as they try to manage their emotions while navigating the complexities of school life.
According to Moavero, children are pressured to participate in extra mural activities, extra lessons, and excessive participation in sports clubs. They can also suffer from a sensory overload (lots of stimuli and loud noises at school), which adds to the onset of after-school fatigue.
She notes that the added mix of the homework drudge and some children having to deal with transportation challenges – commuting to and from school in crowded and uncomfortable conditions can be extremely tiring for them and further contribute to after-school fatigue.
“After-school fatigue is a widespread issue in South Africa. Many of our children are experiencing exhaustion/burnout due to the added pressure placed on them. Some of the students I teach are so over-scheduled with extra activities that they enter my class feeling completely drained, ready to collapse and recharge,” says Moavero.
Many South African schools also have long school hours and children only get a brief respite before the busy afternoon activities begin, which can be very overwhelming for children and may affect their well-being.
Going to school can be an incredibly draining experience, leaving many students feeling utterly exhausted by the end of the day. This fatigue, however, can also stem from various physical factors that often go unnoticed or underestimated. These include: poor sleep patterns, fast food, limited parental involvement, inappropriate teaching methods, and overcrowded classrooms are contributing factors.
Adds Dr. de Jager: “Another reason is children who are not ready for school when they enter grade one. They are simply not up to the South African classroom situation. It’s inhumane to expect children to sit still and, like robots get ‘input’ that they have to ‘output’ correctly and if they don’t get it right, get therapy. Teaching is problematic. It’s exhausting to be yelled at and sit still when your body needs to move.”
The role of after-school centres in addressing after-school fatigue
“So we can see that after-school fatigue can be caused by many physical, mental and emotional elements, making it difficult to treat. But, it can be treated and managed. Understanding all these elements is crucial for tackling the issue of after-school fatigue. It can be effectively managed with the right conditions and people in place, like what we offer at Club Engage,” Allen notes.
Moavero is confident that after-school programs and facilities can play a role in addressing the after-school fatigue phenomenon if they approach it with empathy, understanding, and focus on emotional awareness.
After-school facilities should provide a safe environment where children are encouraged to express their emotions are offered empathy and connections with trusted figures, like the staff members, and set within boundaries. It should be an environment where there is order, with prioritised tasks and schedules, including breaks, which also assists with managing how a child processes information, emotions, energy and fatigue.
Says Allen: “Club Engage’s REACH system (R – Run and Play, E – Experiments, A – Arts, C – Create, H – Health) offers a dynamic and diverse daily programme for children that together with its focus on ‘quality play’ in its day-to-day activities will help children unwind, recalibrate and release emotions, which will help with their fatigue.”
“The lifestyle side of treating and managing after-school fatigue, diet and attention to sleep patterns are also important. After-school care facilities should, therefore, also be conscious of food and eating, and encourage and offer a healthy eating and hydration regime. This will help children develop healthy eating habits and increase energy and alertness. Parents need to be part of this process to help enable this,” Moavero adds.
Dr. de Jager also believes that after-school care facilities can assist with treating after-school fatigue in children. She notes, however, that the personnel at these facilities need to be trained to address it, saying: “Otherwise they are just babysitting children in the afternoons.”
Parents must know that addressing after-school fatigue is a shared responsibility among parents, teachers, caregivers and the community. Children must be given the support they need to thrive and revive and prioritise schedules/homework and parents need to be more present in their children’s lives.
It is also important for counsellors, coaches and mental health practitioners to assist and guide the management of fatigue in children.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) notes that 1 in 5 children are at risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders due to chronic fatigue, which makes addressing after-school fatigue more serious than most might think. Understanding the causes and signs of after-school fatigue and implementing strategies to manage it, can help primary school children lead healthier and more balanced lives.
According to The Children’s Trust in the UK, fatigue can affect a child’s academic performance and social interactions, stating that: children might find it challenging to keep up with schoolwork or participate in social activities, which may lead to frustration and isolation.
There are many ways to manage and treat after-school fatigue in children, with solutions from scheduling regular breaks to balance activities, ensuring children have a balanced and healthy diet and hydration, encouraging enriched play, and establishing a consistent bedtime routine to promote them getting enough sleep. These are things that after-school facilities should implement, which Club Engage faithfully does.
