Preparing children for back to school will look different this year, with so many questions and not many clear answers.
As a parent, how do you plan and organize for school restarting during COVID-19?
You have to decide how your child will return to learning. This is a dilemma for many parents, whether their children will return to the classroom or a virtual setting. Parents are concerned about their children’s health, their educational needs and the essential resources that school can provide.
Organizing your child for back to school
If attending in-person classes is the plan for your youngster, then start preparing them before the first day back. Doing so will help you and your child to stay calm, giving them assurance and the best possible start.
Have a family meeting, bringing up the subject of the upcoming school year. If your child is old enough to understand, talk to him/her about each learning style, classroom or virtual. Whatever style you choose, your child will need your help and supervision. Children thrive on organization and predictability, knowing what is expected from them and their expectations of themselves.
Find a list of the needed classroom supplies and get the basics for the first day; you can always add more in the future.
Make sure to speak with your child about safety measures to take while/if they are at school, such as social distancing, wearing a face mask, and washing or sanitizing their hands often.
Virtual learning
If your child will spend any time learning virtually, contact the school regarding lessons and opportunities to interact online with other students or staff. Find out whether instruction will be live or pre-recorded videos from teachers.
To help keep track of their assignments and deadlines, consider putting up a family calendar, where you can clearly see who needs what and when. To survive and thrive as a family, parents’ patience and proper planning is necessary and crucial.
Establish a routine and rules
As many parents already know, children function better in a well-maintained home or classroom. Setting them up with their own space, desk and supplies will increase their confidence and success in school and life.
Start with the back-to-school routine a couple of weeks before the school starts. That might include early sleep time, as well as establishing habits in the morning and at night.
Don’t forget to include daily chores. Children who grow up with chores have more confidence, skills and higher self-esteem.
Consult your child about their favourite clothes, backpacks and supplies. Making an extra effort to please your child will make them feel secure and confident.
Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company based in Powell River and has written several books on reducing clutter and becoming more organized. For information, go to solutionsorganizing.com.
