BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS FOR PARENTS

How can you help your child go back to school?

There are many things that you can do for your children which will make going back to school easy during COVID-19. Although schools are offering parents several options in sending their children back to school, such as virtual schooling, the choice to attend classes physically is still preferred by many.

Why? That’s because parents believe that children learn best when they physically attend school classes.
The benefits are abundant, which includes face to face learning, more personal and intimate
relationships, and direct access to school programs and services. However, our children’s physical return to school poses an increased risk of COVID-19 infection which many parents fear the most.

So how can you as a parent help your child go back to school?
As your child returns to school during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is best to share with them correct information, give them tips, and support them all the way for their health and safety.
Keeping clean is just one of the solutions. Here are some tips for talking to children, sharing correct information, and supporting school safety efforts, whether or not your child will be returning to school physically or virtually.

1. Encourage them to wear Face Masks
   Let your child make it a habit to wear a mask. Although some children are comfortable wearing masks, others have a difficult time. Try giving them ready made masks with child-friendly designs to choose from or you can design with them a pre-made mask according to your own creative ideas, choice of colors and materials.
2. Make it a habit to use Hand Sanitizers
   Make sure that your child always brings a hand sanitizer. There are sanitizers available with mild and safe ingredients for children, and some may come in fancy, sweet-scented, and kid-friendly bottles and designs which will inspire them to clean their hands regularly.
3. Prepare their packed lunch and water bottle

Avoid making your child stand in queue for canteen lunch or refreshment, or drinking from the water fountain. It is always best to prepare their packed lunch and water bottle at home.

4. Help them cope
   Try to serve as a role model to help kids learn ways to cope with difficult times such as the pandemic. In this case, share with them your thoughts about the importance of following public health guidelines such as wearing masks, sanitizing, and observing physical distancing.
5. Look at the brighter side
   You can attach a positive meaning to the pandemic which they will remember well. You can tell them that although this pandemic has been hard on all of us, it somehow enabled us to do and enjoy many things together, and at the same time learn new things such as baking, growing plants, cutting each other’s hair, playing indoor games, etc. etc.
6. Ease their worries
   Ask them what worries them most? Validate, accept and let them know that you understand their feelings about the situation. And then ask them what will they do to avoid catching COVID-19 infection. In this way, you will teach them how to deal with a problem, and help empower them by giving them a
   sense of control.