Tips for Talking to Kids About School-Fall 2020
Even though we are only half way into Summer, a constant topic of conversation is what will school look like in the Fall? In the next few weeks, several districts plan to share their plans for Fall 2020. Many ideas have been tossed around and surveys completed. The unknown is challenging! How do you plan childcare for the Fall? How do you help prepare your child for what school will look like? How do you prepare yourself for the uncertainly for schooling this Fall? Ultimately, when schools do announce the Fall plans there will be pieces that are disappointing, upsetting or worrisome for parents and children. I encourage you to do the following:
Allow your children to express their feelings, thoughts and worries. Listen without providing your opinions and feelings on the situation. Acknowledge their feelings, thoughts and worries.
Express your feelings in a separate space away from your children.
Talk to your children about what they can expect during their school year. How will it be similar to their previous experiences in school? How will it be different? What will be expected of them that is new and different? Encourage them to ask questions.
Help your children build excitement about their year ahead. Was there something specific they were looking forward to? Or was there something they were hoping to study? Help them make it happen even!
Try to maintain a positive outlook for yourself and your children. It is a great opportunity to model and teach perseverance, resiliency and teamwork! Show your children you are on their team and you guys will get through this together and come out stronger because of it! Children need to see and feel your support during this challenging time!
Many of us have spoken to our children when the virus first hit about why schools were switching to online learning and how to keep everyone safe. Children are very intuitive creatures. They can pick up on changes and shifts in their parent’s moods, emotions and behaviors. This is a great opportunity to talk with your children again about the virus and give them an update in a developmentally appropriate manner about the world.
Here are a few resources for talking to your children about Coronavirus:
Why Did the Whole World Stop: Talking to Kids About COVID-19 by: Heather Black
Masked Ninja a Book About Kindness and Preventing the Spread of Racism and Viruses by: Mary Nhin
Billie and the Brilliant Bubble by: Tara Treviso
Not Forever but for Now: A Story About Feelings During the Pandemic by: Heather Malley