Hey Lifers!
It is that time again. Time to start getting our families ready to go back to school. This year is going to present several new challenges, but we can still live the good life by preparing for these lemons. Let’s prepare our kids by arming them with the insight and thoughtfulness needed to be successful. The following three topics are conversations that are essential to have with your children before they start back to school.
Health & Safety
Your child’s school will have protocols to help keep them healthy, but there are also a few things that every child needs to know.
- Create a health kit. See our suggestions here.
- Don’t share materials.
- Don’t share food.
- Wear your mask
- Sanitize or wash hands frequently.
- Avoid high traffic areas as much as possible.
- Adhere to the six foot social distancing rule as much as possible. Even with your friends.
- Sanitize your hands before touching your face.
Social Awareness
There was a lot of social unrest and politicizing of events in the United States and world-wide since schools were last in session. Your child needs to hear that there will be students that have opposing viewpoints on the topics. Regardless of each individual’s stance on these controversial issues, the school environment should be one of respect and tolerance of our differences. Your child will more than likely hear opinions that they disagree with. How do they handle this?
Talk to your child about how to listen, discuss, and disagree respectfully. And at the end of the day, it is okay to agree to disagree.
Education
Kids need to know that school is going to look much different this year. Be prepared for strict protocols guiding everything from lunch to classroom seating structures to social restrictions. Kids need to know that this new normal is going to be “weird” for everyone involved until we adjust to it. Teachers, administrators, custodians, students, parents, basically everyone is going to have to work through an adjustment phase. Make sure your child knows that it may take a little time to settle in and that they need to self-advocate!
As with the beginning of any school year, set clear goals and routines with your children. What do you expect from them regarding their study habits, behavior, and …… Consider setting up a Rewards Program where your child can earn positive consequences for meeting goals and expectations.
These three areas can help us all navigate the challenges we are faced with as our students re-enter learning environments with diverse peers.