Preparing Children for Changes in School Routine

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Preparing Children to Return to “In Person” School

  • Talk with your child about how school will look different (e.g., desks far apart from each other, teachers maintaining physical distance, playing at recess while maintaining social distance).

  • Help your child identify their worries and fears, and then provide child-friendly, fact-based information to address those issues

  • Anticipate behavior changes in your child. Watch for changes like excessive crying or irritation, excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating, which may be signs of your child struggling with stress and anxiety.

Create a routine of practicing mindfulness/breathing exercises many times a day (They have learned many at school.  Ask them to lead these exercises)

  • Establish normalcy and a routine. Children do best when they know what to expect.   Create a calendar that outlines which days are online versus in-person learning, and then break down what will happen during each of those days.

  • Practice with your child washing their hands before they leave and when they get home; before and after eating; after using the bathroom; and after sneezing or blowing their nose.

  • Practice putting a mask on every time you leave the house. Show your child the correct way of using the mask so that it covers from the top of the nose to the bottom of the chin.

  • Reassure your child that their teachers will be there to help

  • Encourage your child to take “coping breaks” when they feel anxious, such as deep breathing exercises, doodling for a few minutes, moving their body, imagining a favorite place, or repeating coping statements such as, “It’s normal to be nervous, but I’m OK, and I’ll make it through the day”

  • Attend school activities and meetings. Schools may offer more of these virtually. As a parent, staying informed and connected may reduce your feelings of anxiety and provide a way for you to express any concerns you may have about school.

 

Preparing Children to Stay in “Remote School”

  • Talk with your child about your decision to keep them at home.

  • Help your child identify their worries and fears, and then provide child-friendly, fact-based information to address those issues. (e.g., heath risk factors of child or family member, not being vaccinated, etc)

  • Validate your child’s feelings about staying in remote learning.  Plan dedicating some special time with them doing some fun activities together.

  • Reassure your child that their teachers will be there to support them and maintain the connection they have created during the year.

  • Maintain normalcy and review with your child the new routine that will be provided. Children do best when they know what to expect.  

  • Update a calendar that outlines the schedule for synchronous and asynchronous times.

 

 Ask for Help. If you have doubts about your child’s mental health, let the school know. Talk to teachers and counselor.  We can provide support and information about services to students in need of extra support.

Contact the school counselor, Ms Ximena Grollmus.  In her Seesaw page or by  e-mail   ixgrollmus@seattleschools.org