September October 2021 web

Back to School Tips During a Pandemic
by Kim Feeney Butterfly Beginnings
It’s a strange time. In the face of a pandemic
and lots of debate about whether schools
should re-open some parents are choosing to
home-school and some children are returning
to face to face classes. I want to provide some
back to school tips during a pandemic.
The most important tip I have is to realize that
parents are doing the best they can and know
how to do given unprecedented circumstances
and we all need to be kind and gentle with one
another during this time. Whether you are a
parent who has no choice in the matter due to
having to work outside of the home and needing
your children to go to school or maybe you’re
a parent who is gripped with anxiety about the
risks and have made decision to homeschool,
it’s a stressful time for everyone.
Tips for Parents Sending Children Back to
School
1. As much as possible, keep it positive and
fun in terms of the adjustments that will be
needed for this school year.
2. Have conversations to prepare your child that
teachers will probably all be wearing masks
and maybe gloves and explain the reason
without causing fear for your child. Be very
matter of fact and up-beat
3. In the case your school is requiring masks
and social distancing, let your child become
familiar with face-coverings as a part of her
wardrobe, explaining why we are wearing
them. You might purchase or make plain
light-colored masks your child can decorate
with fabric pens to personalize it.
4. Talk about what social distancing looks like.
Introduce air-high-fives instead of hugs and
have discussions about not sharing food and
drink with others.
5. Go over hand washing protocols and
encourage your child to practice keeping
hands away from his face.
6. Consider a plastic back-pack that is easy
to wipe down with disinfectant wipes when
your child returns home from school.
7. Make a game of the return home routine with
singing a silly song while removing shoes
and clothes in the laundry room and taking a
nice warm shower before settling in after the
day at school.
8. Be sure to organize time outdoors for your
child and family after school. Being in nature
as much as possible will be a healthy way to
get some fresh air and be together after the
school days.
9. Create evenings that are as relaxing as
possible for the whole family to mitigate stress
everyone may be feeling. Lower the lights,
play some soft music and make bedtime a
time for plenty of cuddles and reading books
together.
12 September/October 2021 I QC Family Focus