The start of every school year is an exciting, but scary time. Add in new reopening guidelines and health concerns about COVID-19, and many parents have found themselves at a loss. Is it safe to send my child back to school? Can I commit to remote learning? While I can’t tell you which option to choose, I can give you some easy tips to help your family with that transition. Routine is important for kids, start practicing now so they can have an easier first day later.
Tips for Traditional Learning
- Practice wearing a mask. Have
your kids spend time each day wearing a mask
while doing
everyday activities. Having trouble? Make a rule that they can’t use technology (watch tv, play on devices, play video games, etc.) unless they wear a mask. Chances are they want those privileges enough to comply. Pay attention to how often they touch or play with the mask. It defeats the purpose of a mask if they keep sticking their fingers inside! Be sure they know how to put it on and take it off properly, without spreading their germs all over. Make sure you have a few masks in the rotation. They need to be washed each day and you should always pack a backup. - Teach them to wash hands properly. Teach kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating. Find ways to make it fun, like making up your own handwashing song or turning it into a game. Try the A, B, C’s or Row Row Row your boat. Proper handwashing includes 20 seconds of scrubbing, be sure the song you choose last at least that long.
- Practice social distancing. Help your children learn what being 6 feet apart really means. Practice staying 6 feet apart while doing everyday activities.
- Teach them how to open snacks and drinks. The more help your child needs to open things, the more hands will be touching their food. Practice lunch time at home so they can learn how to open items that might be packed in their lunch box.
- Pack a water bottle. Water fountains won’t be an option this year, so consider packing a full water bottle every day.
- Stay flexible. Schools are doing their very best to be prepared for every scenario, but change is inevitable. New things are learned every day and practice makes perfect. New protocols will be added or tweaked as needed once we start to learn what works best.
Tips for Remote Learning
- Stick to a routine. Wake up, eat breakfast, and get dressed for school – the only difference in their morning routine should be the commute to their desk instead of their school. If you don’t set a schedule for learning it will be difficult to tear kids away from toys and fun and it may lead to arguments and frustration. Kids are used to a set schedule at school, they do it for their teachers and they will do it for you too! You just have to commit to having a structured day, focused on getting the learning done.
- Dedicate
a learning space. Set up an area in your home that you use only for
learning. Make sure the temptations of play time, tv, and tablets are far away
so the focus can be on learning. Set up your supplies just like their desk
would be set up at school. Setting their space up can help them be excited to
start learning again, a flashy new pencil never hurts either!
- Sit in the best position for
learning. Be sure the space you use is right for your child. Make sure
screens are at eye-level and kids are sitting up straight. Lounging in the
chair or on the couch isn’t conducive to learning. Have a fidgety kid? Try
using the “prone” position (laying on the floor on their bellies.) This
flexible seating option can sometimes help students focus when they are having
a rough day.
No matter which option you choose, remember that your kids are looking to you for guidance. Be positive about the experience no matter how you are feeling. If you show them your apprehension, they are likely to be scared too. You’re doing great and we will get through this together!
To learn more, check out the additional resources the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has for back to school planning.
Krissy Flynn
Elementary School Teacher
