Some beliefs believe that the weather influences our moods and thus our motivation to work, even in children. What about when it’s cold? With winter approaching and the energy crisis looming, should we be worried about our children becoming less productive in class? Two experts answer us.
In view of what is looming, winter will no doubt be harsh for students in schools. Between the rise in energy prices and the measures imposed on mayors and heads of schools to save money, children will be the first to be affected by the repercussions. We have also had a glimpse in recent weeks, when the temperatures have dropped sharply. In several schools in France, groups of parents of students have mobilized to denounce the conditions in which their children work, sometimes in classes where the thermometer showed less than 15 degrees. A situation that gives rise to certain questions, in particular on children’s schooling this winter. Will they be able to work normally if they are cold? Are accommodations provided by the National Education? We interviewed Charlotte Bailly, pediatrician and founder of the teleconsultation platform on the subject MedForMomas well as Gilles Langlois, national secretary of the Unsa teachers’ union.
What is the impact of cold on concentration?
The cold has an impact on the child’s concentration and effort when studying, at school or at home.
“Fighting the cold requires energy from our organisms, especially growing organisms. (those of children editor’s note)so it can decrease the energy needed for memory and concentration”assures the pediatrician.
Of the very serious scientific studies have looked into the matter. The Quebec biometerologist, Gilles Brien, expert on the subject, deciphered it in his book Human barometers: how the weather influences us. He declares : “Absolute scientific proof does not yet exist, but it is a recognized fact in educational circles that behind the fluctuations in behavior and the level of understanding of students lies the influence of atmospheric conditions.” It is based in particular on an Australian study dating from 1993, which demonstrated “a large proportion of weather-sensitive children“. “Girls would even be twice to three times more sensitive than boys to sudden changes in the weather”details the expert on his blog.
Are there plans to give students more homework?
“Currently, to my knowledge, the ministry has not informed us that there would be orientations of this type that would be planned”, assures us Gilles Langlois. Because reducing the school attendance time of students, giving them more homework so that they are in better conditions to work, it also raises other problems. “For most students, their parents work so that means that the children would be alone at home, not necessarily in good conditions because not all families can afford to put the heating on all day at home. for example”, explains the representative of the teachers’ union Unsa. Finally, as soon as we pull a thread of the problem, we can certainly find common sense solutions, but which are often complex to apply to all students and their families.
If your child is affected by this problem, and is cold in class, there are tricks to set up, starting with the choice of clothes:
- Choose warm materials (wool, velvet, mohair, cashmere, silk because thermo-regulating);
- Of the thermal t shirts ;
- Of the thick and warm socks ;
- Of the mittens ;
- Of the earmuffs headbands.
And to maintain keep her body temperature active while seated, your child can do warm-up movements with his wrists, his hands, his ankles. And whenever he has a break between classes he can skip, walk briskly through hallways to warm up.