Guest Blogger, Jenna Sherman of Parent-Leaders
None of us were prepared for the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown, and it’s hard to tell what effect this whole ordeal has had on our children. Now, as schools make plans to reopen, kids and parents have to navigate a whole new set of challenges. Will your children be able to pick up where they left off? Do they need help getting up to speed on their studies? Can you protect your family from COVID-19 when your kids return to their crowded classrooms? Here are some great resources to answer your questions and prepare your kids for a smooth back-to-school transition.
Smoothing the Transition
Your kids may be excited to go back to school, but they may also feel a little overwhelmed by the abrupt change.
- Encourage your kids to talk about their concerns.
- Have your children start going to bed earlier a week or two before school starts again.
- Plan school lunches and weeknight meals ahead of time to reduce household stress.
- Your child may benefit from the support of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Learning at Home
Help your children get back on track with their studies by supporting learning at home.
- Make sure your kids have a calm and quiet place to study at home.
- Look for teachable moments throughout your daily life.
- Research at-home educational resources online.
- Find ways to apply what your kids are learning in school to real-world situations.
- If you have younger kids, read with them every night.
Avoiding COVID-19
While schools are reopening with special plans in place to protect students and educators, don’t hesitate to take your own COVID-19 precautions.
- Send your kids to school with effective hand sanitizer.
- Make handwashing a fun activity for your kids.
- Encourage your kids to choose outdoor play when possible.
- Deep clean and disinfect the surfaces in your home frequently.
It’s okay if your children are worried or anxious about returning to school after such a long and unexpected break. The transition back to school may be easier for some kids than others. Do what you can to help your kids adjust, and they’ll be back in the swing of things soon enough—kids are amazingly adaptable!
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