08/02/2021
The transition back to in person schooling looks like it will be a winding road, possibly with unanticipated stop signs and detours. How long is yet to be determined, as COVID waxes and wanes….. and finally , hopefully ends its’ control over our daily lives.
While masks for young children (under 12) in particular remain a problem both for their self-identity and recognition/bonding with classmates ; the move back to in person learning is essential for their best academic progress. And masks may be necessary for a while in light of the Delta variant as a condition of in person learning , at least in public schools.
It is estimated that 75% of children lost ground in the remote learning process over the last year ,despite the best efforts of parents . That does not begin to address the psychological effect of the extended COVID lockdowns on them, the interruption of increasing socialization skills and the problems attendant to socialization v. isolation , during a period of childhood denied during the pandemic. It affected every family differently; there was no “normal”.
Effectively planning for return to school this year will mean far more than new school supplies and clothing.
It will mean :
a. Effort now to increase the physical activity of the children to build their stamina for return to full time learning in a controlled classroom setting. Get them up and out, away from the TV and other all consuming media .
b. Reestablishment of weekday bedtime and personal care routines to make the transition more seamless. Ideally these should be similar in both homes to benefit the children.
c. Reaffirmation of hand washing and social distancing protocol, along with other safety measures which children need to be trained in and reminded of.
d. If your child is having anxiety or social issues either resulting from or enhanced by the pandemic, the time to get your child situated with an experienced child therapist is NOW to assist and monitor the school year transition.
e.Encourage healthier eating habits for the school week under the “food is fuel” mantra.
f. Set homework times and study/ project time in advance with as much consistency as possible, with a like routine in both homes, if parenting time is shared in different locations.
g. Limit social media during the school week, and cell phone use depending on the ages, and weekday extracurricular schedules with a like routine in both homes, if parenting time is shared in different locations.
Enjoy the rest of this fleeting summer.
Let’s hope the autumn winds are kind and liberating! See you in September!
