Primary schools are opening up for all pupils from Monday 8th March and I bet there were many sighs of relief from parents across the nation when it was announced. This last school closure and lockdown period seems to have been so much harder than first one. I think the cold weather and dark evenings made it worse plus the novelty factor of school closure has well and truly worn off. I know kids and parents across the land are delighted about school’s opening for all what if you’re also a bit worried about things too?
I’m worried about my child’s education and all the learning they’ve missed…
There’s a lot of understandable concern at the moment about the education children have missed. But I think we need to be very careful about not passing this anxiety onto our children. The media is full of stories about ‘lost generations of children’ and ‘poor life chances’ as a result of school closures. This kind of talk does no one any good. We need to remain positive and optimistic with our children, not fill them with fear. Schools are well aware of the job they have to do and are going to be rigorous and relentless in their work to support children’s learning. It won’t be a quick fix though – we can’t cram the missed learning in in a few weeks; it’s not about plugging up the gaps or concealing a few cracks. Teachers need to make sure children properly understand concepts and knowledge before moving on to the next thing. Schools will rise to the challenge and get children where they need to be but it will be over time and by working together as a team with all those involved in our children’s education – parents, secondary schools and nurseries. There’s no doubt we’re all going to have to do more to help our children but it’s a marathon not a sprint. It’s about steady and sustainable hard work over time. You can also look at things from a different perspective…what positive opportunities has this challenge presented for our children? Yes, their knowledge of Zoom and Teams is second to none now, but they’ve also learned massive lessons about resilience in the face of adversity, about independence and perhaps even a greater appreciation for school.
And, of course, everyone is in the same boat across the country, even the children who have been attending school in the closure. Teachers have been consciously ensuring the curriculum in school matches remote education, so that there will not be a huge chasm between the remote learners and the in-school learners when schools open to all. So try not to worry, we’ll get there!
I’m worried my child is reluctant to go back to school…
First of all, make sure your child’s school know in advance that your child is not feeling positive about the return to school. There are lots of things we can do to make it easier for them, if we know. At home, spend time with your child getting their uniform ready, finding their school bag and PE kit with them, taking the opportunity to talk to them about how they’re feeling about going back to school. Don’t avoid the issue as this won’t help. Try to reassure and remain positive, talking about all the good things they have to look forward to.
I’m worried about how my child’s behaviour has changed…
Being isolated and out of their usual routine has affected many children’s behaviour. So, if your child has developed some ‘delightful’ new behaviours, don’t worry, you are not alone! Let your child’s teacher know – send them an email or give them a ring. Don’t feel awkward or embarrassed as we’ve seen and heard it all before. If we know about a problem and are working together with you on it, then we can sort it out so much quicker as a team. I’m optimistic that getting back into school and routines will help sort out many minor behaviour issues that have cropped up in lockdown.
I’m worried that my child’s social skills and friendships have suffered…
Humans are social animals and we need contact with others. I’ve talked to parents who are concerned about how withdrawn their children have become, how reluctant they are to have virtual hang-outs anymore or how quiet and untalkative they’ve become. Schools are very much aware of this and are planning ways to help children rebuild these skills and their friendships. At Coppice Valley, we’re making sure that in the first days back we build plenty of talk-based activities into our lessons to give children opportunities to connect. We’ll be adding in more Personal & Social Education lessons, going over friendship skills and healthy relationships.
I’m worried about my child’s mental health…
You may be more deeply concerned that your child is experiencing poor mental health. Try and figure out if your child is perhaps just experiencing some strong feelings due to the situation or if it is something more persistent and perhaps a mental health issue. As humans, we have a range of emotions and in times of stress, some of these come to the fore and are displayed more often. You might not be used to seeing your child being really sad or very angry but it’s perfectly natural to have big feelings now and again. You may find that after getting back into school life, things settle down. However, if your child is struggling to cope with the demands of daily life, if their personality has changed significantly (and you can’t put it down to being a teenager!), if their moods are erratic or their appetite or sleep patterns change, then it might be a mental health issue that needs supporting. Talk to your child’s school about what they can offer. Schools are developing fantastic mental health offers these days or they can signpost you to local services. Alternatively use The Go To website for ideas and services.
So, if you are a bit worried about the return to school, hopefully you’ll have picked up a few ideas or assurances from this blog. There really is light at the end of the tunnel now and with a little bit more patience, resilience and optimism, we’ll all get through this together.
Emma Meadus, Head Teacher at Coppice Valley Primary School
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