Part 2 - Learning in a crisis: returning to school after COVID-19
How you can support your young person:
Transitions present children with opportunities to develop strategies to manage their emotions and behaviours.
Children manage transition best when adults:
Establish predictable routines and set clear expectations
Help children learn how to manage and express their emotions
Have realistic expectations of children based on their development and temperament
Encourage and reinforce children’s effective coping strategies
Teach children strategies to handle stress and manage their actions and behaviour
Reference: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/supporting-transitions-brief-one.pdf
Be prepared for your child to feel uncertain about returning to school. They may have ‘going back jitters’ similar to the separation anxieties children typically feel when starting a new school. Below is advice and suggestions on how you can support them to work through their worries and get back to school successfully:
1. Start to talk about school:
Be tuned in to how your child is feeling about school - they may be excited or anxious. Either way they will need your help to prepare for returning to school.
Try and introduce the topic of school casually - it could be overwhelming for them to have a full conversation about this. Highlight things about school they enjoy - riding their scooter to school, circle time, seeing their friends, doing their favourite subject.
Also make sure to bring up things they may find more difficult so they are not caught off guard by them or start internalising worries rather than speaking to you. You can do this by thinking about areas you think your child struggles with and prepare some solutions to help them. When you bring up a worry, you can then suggest that you problem solve together. Its important you chat openly - their thoughts and ideas should be on an equal footing to yours; don’t impose your solutions on them; suggest ideas if they get stuck; and support them in coming up with their own strategies.
2. Routine:
Help your child with the adjustment to school life by reinstating school rituals - packing a bag for the day; getting up at school time and going for a walk. But make sure to include regular periods of fun!
While at home your child might have got used to extra attention or time for playing, make sure to maintain some of these while transitioning back to school. You could play a game after conversations about school, for example ‘pillow matches’ and other movement games like ‘the floor is lava’.
Alternatively, you could include your child in planning the ‘back to school schedule’- for example, picking an after school activity or game; giving them the choice of what their lunchbox snack or treat could be.
Check back here later in the week, for games and book suggestions!
3. Re-starting school:
Your child may start the day by suggesting they stay home and avoid returning to school. Remember, it will be easier for them to settle if they return along with their peers. Stay firm on your position of them attending but do so in a calm, supportive manner.
Affirm their feelings with a statement such as ‘I hear you’ or ‘I understand’ but restate your position ‘it is a school day today’ or ‘we are going to go today.’
Allow them to express their feeling then move them over to a calming or fun activity before or on the way to school. A good idea for a ‘distraction on the go’ is a searching game like ‘eye spy’ or a challenge such as ‘find a sparkly thing’ or ‘find something rough.’
4. Returning from school:
Your child might want to talk about the highs or lows of the day, they might be highly energised or tired and withdrawn. Meet your child where they are at and support them with this.
If they’re talkative, then listen, it they’re active, then engage them in an energy burning activity when home such as juming and playing active games. If they’re tired or withdrawn, then allow them time to recharge, guide them to activities that replenish and calm them and don’t ask them lots of questions. They could draw, watch some TV or have a cuddle with you.
There’s no one way to do this, you are the expert on your child. Tune in to how they are feeling and try and support them with activities and strategies that suit their individual personalities and needs.
5. Peer relationships:
Arranging for your child to meet up with their friends before returning to school can reduce some of the anxiety they may feel. Whilst they may be very excited to see their friends they may feel overwhelmed if this is combined with the return to the school.
So when the time comes for children to return to schools, try and co-ordinate with other parents to facilitate your children meeting in a safe way beforehand, making sure to follow the current safety guidelines.