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.
Founder and CEO of the Club Engage franchise, Genevieve Allen, said 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.
“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,” said 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 added.
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,” said 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.
“Another reason is children who are not ready for school when they enter Grade 1. 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,” added Dr De Jager.
“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 noted.
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.
Parents must know that addressing after-school fatigue is a shared responsibility among parents, teachers, caregivers and the community.