Going Back To School After COVID19

Going back to school after COVID19

A lot of us are currently frantically organising school bags, despairing over the amount our children have grown and how on earth do they need ANOTHER new pair of shoes!!

Yes, it’s back to school time! But this September, it’s a little different. Many of our children have not seen their school friends or sat in a classroom since mid March. That’s almost 6 months! If you were receiving school work for your child to complete in the interim period and your child completed it, well done you! If your child didn’t get around to it, that’s okay too! These past few months have been tough on everyone. Many parents are trying to balance working from home, along with having their child hang onto them looking for juice, or a snack or just one more episode of Peppa Pig.

As we look forward to schools reopening (I’m not cut out to be a teacher!!) and our children going back to some semblance of normality, we have to all bare in mind that there will be changes in day to day school activities.

So how can you ease this transition?

Study any communication you have received from the school regarding reopening.

By this point, most schools have sent out communication on the steps they have taken to make sure our children are safe. Whether this be explaining staggered break times, the school’s stance on masks, what will happen if your child becomes unwell during school or the new ‘Drop & Go’ system. It is important to make yourself familiar with all the new procedures that will be in place from September.

If there is one, attend the open day.

Some schools are carrying out open days for some parents. This will show you exactly how the new systems will work, what the classrooms look like if there have been changes there and will also give you a chance to ask any questions you may have with your child’s teacher.

Speak with your child.

Make sure to sit down with your child and explain the new school systems in a way they will understand. Many schools are implementing ‘pod’ systems which will be completely new for your child. As hard as it is, they need to understand that they cannot run around the classroom as they have in the past or that they have to wash their hands a lot more frequently. They may be worried or develop separation anxiety after having spent so much time with you at home. We’ve popped together a few ways to help them overcome this here.

Be flexible

This is going to be new for everyone and we all will have to have a little bit of flexibility for the next few weeks. Once we all get used to this ‘new normal’, things will be easier – we hope!

If you need to, contact your school.

The schools all want this new transition period to go as smoothly as possible and they want to make sure that you and your child are happy. If you have any worries or questions, pick up the phone or send an email. Make sure you know exactly what’s happening. If you’re not stressed about the new procedures, neither will your child be (at least that’s the hope)!

It is important to remember that kids will be kids. We cannot enforce all of the new procedures at all times and more often than not, they will be forgotten in the excitement of seeing their friends.

Though this may be strange, it’s still an exciting time for children of all ages, going back and seeing their friends or starting their first ever day of school! All we can ask is that they try, and that is perfectly fine!