7 Tips and Tricks for Going Back to School: After the Coronavirus Lockdown

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Very soon, every family will be facing this dilemma.  You will be thinking about sending your child back to school. Since the restrictions for the coronavirus are easing, many areas are opening up the schools. In most places daycares have been open for a while. Some parents will welcome the opportunity to get closer to the new normal, and others will refuse to send their children.

In this unpredictable world, both viewpoints are understandable. 

But if you do send your child back to school, help prepare them for the inevitable.  It will not look like what they know and are familiar with.

Here are 7 pointers to assist you. The ideas have been generalized, and you may need to confirm the details with your school district. You can explain the following to your child.

1. Not The Same

School will not be the same as before. But it is safe for you to return if you understand a few ideas and the new rules about school.

If you have an older brother or sister, they may go to school first, or they may have to wait until after you go to school. Not everyone will return on the same day.

Your mom or dad may take your temperature every day to make sure you are ok to mix with your friends. This check will keep everyone safe.

2. I Can See My Friends

You will be very happy to see your friends, but you cannot play with them in the same way as before.

You can see your friends and talk to them, but you cannot get any closer than 6 feet – Parents you will need to demonstrate how far that is – have your child stretch out their hands.

You can practice social distancing at home so your child can be prepared for it. Have a “social distancing morning or afternoon” in your home to normalize the conditions. Include handwashing in your routine.

There will be no sharing of anything, including school supplies, snacks or lunches, books, papers when you go back to school.

Your teachers will give you lots of time to play with each other in a safe way. You can share what you have been doing with your families. Or you can just play, now that you are together again.

It could be that some of your friends will decide to stay at home and will not be at school with you. That is their choice. Their mom and dad will keep them safe at home.

3. The Classroom Will Be Different

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There will be fewer people in your class, so that your teachers can keep everyone safely apart at the right distance. 

You will not be allowed to leave the classroom without an adult to help you remember the rules about distancing.

Your teacher will likely teach you everything, from reading to physical education to music. It is unlikely that there will be any teachers that teach many different classes.

It also could be that your teacher may not be back.  He or she may have health concerns or may have family members who need care.  It could be a personal decision on the part of your teacher. You will not be told why they are not at school, as this is private information. No one will share the reasons with you. 

4. Keeping You Safe from the Virus

You may see more people cleaning more often. This is to keep you safe. So, if you use the blocks, they may have to be cleaned before anyone else uses them. Your teacher will explain what to do to keep you safe.

You will have to do more personal washing than ever before.  Parents need to be aware that “the new government directive says children will have to wash their hands upon arrival at school, before and after each trip to the toilet, before and after each meal, after play, after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing, after touching shared objects, and before going home,” according to The Local. Hand washing will take time for everyone to do, a few at a time.  Before you go to school, I will help you practice how to wash your hands washing and in school, you can use the songs or methods, so you know how long to spend washing your hands.

If you have a fever at school or show signs of illness, you will need to go home to keep everyone safe. 

5. Hey!!!!   This is Different

Your mom or dad will have to take your temperature every day before you leave for school.

Somethings you see will surprise you. There may be X’s on the pavement or in the hallways, so you will know where to stand. There may be arrows for ways to walk.

You will continue to see masks.  Children may have the choice to wear a mask. Some kids may have a medical reason why they cannot wear a mask. But all of the adults will wear one.

Your parents will not be able to go into the school. They may have to wait in your family car. You will need to go inside yourself, but your teachers will be there to help you. Don’t worry, everything will work out, when you go back to school.

You may go to school for a week and then will stay home for a week. Or you may go to school in the afternoons and your friends will go in the mornings.

6. Recess

Recess will look very different. Some schools will have sections of the playground for certain classes. Others will have classes go out for recess at different times.

There will be no baseball or soccer games as you come into contact too closely for those types of sports. You may want to bring some toys to play with at recess, but you may not share these toys with a friend. 

Some areas of the schoolyard may be closed to everyone. That could include the playground, sandpits, and other equipment, when you go back to school.

7. My Ride to School

You can go to school on the bus, but you may not be able to sit with a friend, as that is too close to keep you safe. Your brother or sister may need to sit on the same seat with you because they are in your safe bubble. Your friend may sit across the aisle from you. No one can turn around to talk to a friend as this is too close. You may want to play a game with your seatmates on your ride to school. You could play “I Spy” or you could count the blue cars you see on your ride.

Your teacher will help you understand how you are feeling about the differences in what is happening. Your friends will be telling everyone how they think and what is frustrating. That will be your chance to explain to them how you feel. It is okay to be upset or confused. Many kids will feel that way.

Kids and teachers will make mistakes until everyone becomes used to the new way of going to school. Everyone needs to be patient with each other because changes are hard to do, especially when there are so many happening at once.

Parental Advice

1. Check the school website or contact your school to determine the details of the return to school from the coronavirus lockdown.

2. Talk to your children about aspects of returning to school in small chunks. Do not overwhelm them with too much information. It is okay to say, “I don’t know the answer, but I will try to find out for you.”

3. Try to be matter of fact about the entire situation. The calmer you are, the more relaxed your kids will be.

4. Remember to ask your child if they have any questions.  Your child might be worrying about something that isn’t true.  You can alleviate some of their stress with your answers.

5. If your child is anxious, you may want to consider a delayed entry back to school. Things will start to become routine after the first week, and that might be the most suitable time to have your child begin to participate in school.

6. Similarly, if your child becomes too anxious with all of the changes, you may want to withdraw them from school at this time, until things are less restrictive. Your child’s mental health is more important than academic progress over the next few months.

7. The school system is well aware that this is a difficult time. As a parent, you have the right to request support for your children and your family. So if you feel your child needs a special request, be sure to voice your concerns. Schools will take measures to accommodate all kids, if it is within their guidelines.

Remember, there is no textbook answer to the complications of the coronavirus. Don’t be reluctant to negotiate what you feel are the needs of your family.  Contact the school with any of your concerns. They will make every effort to help you. We are all struggling to maintain our composure in these very trying times. And don’t forget to celebrate with your children their return to school.

Going to school is a big step back into our new normal state.

With careful preparations, your children can do their share in helping their community heal. 

Helping Your Child in Other Areas

Emotional Distress: Help your child gain control over their emotions. Use storybooks to address jealousy, temper, and other emotions. https://familysmartprocom.wordpress.com/5-tips-and-tricks-for-using-storybooks-to-alleviate-emotional-distress-in-your-kids/

A Positive Approach: Kids Can: in the coronavirus pandemic. See the tips and tricks to help kids be more positive during the coronavirus pandemic. Use storybooks and Youtube videos to help your kids understand their emotions.  https://familysmartprocom.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/kids-can-in-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

Early Reading: If you need some guidance about teaching reading, learn some tips and tricks from an award-winning  Canadian teacher who has been teaching reading for decades. Help for Parents (Reading Instruction) : https://familysmartprocom.wordpress.com/how-do-i-teach-reading-to-my-preschooler-phonics-worksheets-picture-books-toddler-games/

Physical Activity: Take a look at these outdoor activities to expend your child’s energy.   https://familysmartprocom.wordpress.com/outdoor-activities-for-kids/

Are We There Yet? When will the coronavirus be over?

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We have gone beyond the “What are the coronavirus symptoms?” to “When will it be over, and when can I see my friends.” 

When I was a little girl driving to the cottage with my parents and my 3 brothers, the drive seemed so long that every half hour or so, I’d ask, “Are we there yet?” I wasn’t asking about time, but I was letting my parents know that I was frustrated with waiting. By now, many kids know about what a virus is and how to physically protect yourself from being sick.  But what they do not know is how to cope with a future that has so many unknowns. They are feeling anxious, scared, and powerless. 

What is a parent to do to help their young children cope with their negative emotions?  

Stress is Expressed in Many Forms: The first step is to recognize that kids have these feelings. Secondly, there are things that you can do to alleviate some of the stress of the situation.  You may not recognize that more frequent tantrums, whiny behavior, or uncooperativeness are not simply bad behavior but signs of stress. Once you understand how your kids are feeling, you can help them through this difficult time. 

You Are Safe: Assure your kids that they are safe. You may have done this months ago, but your kids need to hear it again. We have doctors and scientists who are looking for ways to stop the coronavirus. It may take a while, but mom and dad are confident that the pandemic will be over.

Everyone is doing their Part:  Review how everyone is doing their part to protect the family. Perhaps mom is working from home, so she won’t be in contact with any germs. Dad has special clothing and gear to protect him from getting sick when he is at work delivering packages. Grandma and Grandpa visit using the tablet.  Everyone is helping to keep everybody safe. When we go shopping everyone wears a mask. At home, we are washing our hands as soon as we arrive back from the store. We all try to stay healthy by getting plenty of rest and eating nutritious food. Your kids are helping by using a tissue whenever they feel like sneezing or coughing. We are all in this together.

Look for Helpers in your World: “Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor and parent who advises, “There are times we’re going to feel sad, there are times we’re going to feel scared. If we can lean into our feelings knowing that there are people who really care about others — who are modeling what Mister Rogers talked about — it can actually make it more possible for us to fully feel the sad or scared feeling.” according to PBS.  And when we feel supported, we can process these negative emotions. It is possible to stimulate behavioral change. Unlike most adults, kids need help to understand and manage these emotions.  She is talking about finding the helpers in our society such as farmers, delivery workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, neighbors, and police. All of these people are keeping us safe.

Take Action: Use special storybooks to support your discussions. Several storybooks focus on the emotional fallout of this crisis. Some are very explicitly linked to the coronavirus, while others are more symbolic. However, they do address the feelings that arise when kids and adults are faced with unpredictable times. 

Now, it is time to stop explaining the facts. Instead, you need to concentrate on how your kids feel and how everyone can do their part. Check out these books to assist you. 

Caillou – Everything Will Be Fine

Caillou is at his daycare when he discovers that he will be safest from the coronavirus symptoms by staying home. When he is at home, he finds that even though his day is different, he can still have fun. Technology helps him solve his lonely feelings.

Paula and the Pandemic

Paula and her mother find a solution to all of the negative feelings surrounding the recent pandemic. Paula is very sad that she cannot see her friends, and she wishes she could interact with her parents, who are now staying at home but are working. She finds what it is like to be patient by growing a sunflower from a seed. Waiting is all part of life. You may want to start growing a sunflower with your child to plant a seed of hope in their heart.

The Day the Lines Changed

There is no mention of the current situation in this story, but the feelings about a crisis are vividly portrayed. The story is told as an analogy of the pandemic – with lines representing people and the spot as a solution. In the end, there is an optimistic view of the future, now that everything has changed. Parents and teachers will be happy to learn that the author has provided some lesson plans to maximize the reading of the book. Check out the website.

Uncertain Times

The narrator of the story is an unhappy bird who is confused about the changes that are happening as a result of a pandemic. It will help your kids acknowledge their feelings and can be a conversation starter for what everyone in the family is feeling in this uncertain time. The book is written to reassure all children that this will not last forever. 

Not Forever but for Now

The first part of the book documents the sense of loss and hopelessness that we all feel at this time of the pandemic. It will open up the conversation between you and your kids so that they can express their feelings, too. Yet not all is lost as it is clear that the situation will not last forever.

The Day my Kids Stayed Home  

In this story, the perspective is from the family dog’s viewpoint.  So, the story takes one step back from reality. The family pet’s confusion about the situation is well portrayed. The first part of the book is in story format, and the back of the book includes information for parents.  You will feel comfortable in answering questions that your kids will ask.

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