Getting your kids back to school after lockdown, that’s been long enough, is going to be a challenge that all parents face during these coming weeks. Whether you have decided to send your child to school on Day 1 or continue to Home School them for a few more weeks, the truth is that they will eventually need to go back to school. Before pandemic, students at Chapterhouse have been enjoying various class activities. But as we know things are a bit different now as the children are back to school after lockdown. Here are a few things we can do to make this process an effective one.
- TALK TO THE SCHOOL AND YOUR CHILDREN
Step 1: It is critical that you take the time to speak to your children about any fears or concerns they may have. This includes discussing their fears or uncertainties about the virus and the SOP’s they will be expected to follow. Talk to them about the changes they will see in school and why they are important. Help them get their anxieties into the open so that they become real and manageable when back to school after lockdown.
Step 2: Make sure that you speak to the school authorities to find out the exact SOPs for entering the school, sanitizing hands and feet, taking temperature and movement through the school will be handled. What are the school’s expectations of you and your children? Talk to the administration to see how things like assemblies, breaks and sports will be handled. Also make sure that you know the process that will be followed if a child displays symptoms.
Step 3: Make an appointment to meet your child’s homeroom/class teacher to share your lockdown experience and also share the areas of academic strengths and weaknesses. This will help them make sure that they plan your child’s lessons according to their needs.
- RE-ESTABLISH THE SCHOOL ROUTINE
Students have been away from school for a long time, as such the concept of bedtime, early morning classes and doing homework at regular times have become moot. It is critical that you start to establish these routines in advance of the schools opening day. Encourage them to tell you about their day when they come home and continue to guide them in their studies as you have done during the lockdown. The school and the home need to continue to work together to develop optimum results. Chapterhouse Education always welcomes parents to connect with us.
- ROLE PLAYING SCHOOL BEHAVIOR
While we may talk of children following SOPs, this is often easier said than done. Make it a point to practice the behaviors your child will need to follow in school such as not shaking hands, maintaining proper distance from others, wearing a mask or face covering properly, washing hands frequently, using sanitizer when touching surfaces used by others and so on. By practicing these behaviors at home, they are more likely to remember to follow them in school as well. For the younger children you can turn this into a game e.g. telling your child that the mask makes them a superhero (what self respecting superhero doesn’t wear a mask) and how not wearing one might reduce their powers.
- PREPARE A HEALTH KIT FOR YOUR CHILD
Prepare a small Health Kit for every child to carry with them in their school bags, just as they will carry lunch-boxes and water bottles. This kit should contain a ready supply of essential items such as a sanitizer, an extra mask, a packet of hand wipes etc. Practice using this kit at home so your child becomes accustomed to it and doesn’t regard it as a nuisance.
- ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO TALK ABOUT THEIR SCHOOL DAY
Now more than ever you need to stay emotionally connected with their children and informed about the details of their school day. Don’t let your children shrug off your questions or offer monosyllabic answers to your questions. Once a child gets into the habit of openly discussing their school day, they will be more open and honest about their time. These tips are helpful to handle your kids properly to be back to school after lockdown.