How to Help Children Get Back to School
Transferring children back to class after a three-month summer break is often challenging. Even returning to school after a couple of weeks of winter break can put some kids in a tailspin. And now that schools across the country are planning to reopen, many families are confronted with the Mother of All Transitions – children returning to class after literally a year at home.
Children who studied on a hybrid schedule, coming to class a couple of times a week, have a slight advantage here. They at least spent some time at their desks, interacted in real life with their peers, and benefited from (disguised) face-to-face meetings with their teachers. Getting up and going out of the house five days a week instead of two may not be easy for them, but it will probably be less frustrating for them than for children, especially the little ones, who studied exclusively on the virtual.
For children who are about to finally leave home and return to school (or, for kindergartens, to school for the first time), parents have very little time to prepare them as close as possible to a complete revolution in the structure of education. their daily life. But there is something you can do now to start making them.
Train them not to be with you
One of the biggest changes for young children who are moving back to school full-time again is the number of hours per day they will no longer be with you .
“I think about it in terms of small steps towards the ultimate goal, which is ultimately about continuing to learn in school, away from parents,” says Jody Musoff , Education Specialist at the Center for Learning and Development and the school’s programs. and communities. the team of the Institute of Children’s Mind . “It’s a big leap forward to go from just being at home with your family all the time to being out of the house, alone, at school. So [think] if there are ways that parents can allow their children to spend time away from them. “
This could mean allowing a few small games at a friend’s house, or asking your grandparents or other family member to watch them for a few hours, keeping in mind everything we know about COVID-19 and taking the necessary safety precautions. Anything you can safely do right now to train them not to be in your constant orbit will help get them back to school.
Increase your social circle
One of the biggest things a child’s life is missing right now is all the social interactions they will have with friends and peers day in and day out at school. It will be an adjustment to re-learn how to behave in a group setting, in which there are constant opportunities for sharing, taking turns and negotiating. To the extent that this can be done with maximum safety, Musoff encourages parents to start spending time playing, first in small groups, and then increasing the number.
“Are there ways a child can play one-on-one and then play with two children,” she says, “and keep increasing the size to attract more children to get them back in the habit of navigating social situations with multiple children.
Focus on structure
Depending on your individual situation, if a child is learning virtually right now, he probably has some kind of structure for his days. But chances are good that you made concessions to make life easier for everyone – and this is understandable. However, now is the time to think about what type of structure your family will need to adhere to during normal school days.
This can mean waking up at a certain time, getting dressed (no more pajamas for the day, sobbing) and having breakfast together before starting the day. Or maybe right now they can choose the order in which they will carry out their school assignments; but once they are back in class, they will owe the teacher’s timetable. Thus, nudging them toward the least desirable tasks or tasks in the first place can help them alleviate the loss of control they are about to experience.
Another idea: Musoff says her kids are on a hybrid schedule right now, but when they went virtual last spring, she loved taking them out for a walk right after breakfast. It was a way to get some fresh air and simulate their daily walk to school.
“[Often] there is no good timetable or structure right now, so try to increase the amount of timetable and structure so that it doesn’t shock them, especially children who have a hard time crossing,” she says. “We’re not really asking them to make the transition, so they didn’t practice these skills.”
You can even invite some of the nearby children to join you to improve the connection between going to school or waiting for the bus and building. in extra time, communication with other children.
Try to cause excitement
One of the best things about starting a new school year when everything is in order is anticipating day one: buying new school clothes, choosing a new backpack or lunch box, and all those fresh school supplies. …
They likely don’t need new accessories or clothes right now, but consider choosing something new so they can happily return to personal learning, especially if they are nervous about it. A new lunchbox or even a few new masks with fun prints can make them look forward to their return.
That’s a lot and probably not a lot of time. But even if you can’t do it all right now, choosing one or two areas that you know are most likely to affect your particular child will help. After all, you know your child and whether (and how) you can face this transition.
And remember, for better or for worse, this will also be a major transition for you . After a year of almost constant time together, the separation will be very unpleasant for everyone.