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Helping Your Kids Deal With Changes At School

2020 has been anything but an average year. As the kids are ramping up to get back to school, many parents are dealing with the impending changes that their children will face in the classroom. With new health and safety protocols in place, how can parents help their kids safely transition into the 2020 school year without feeling overwhelmed?

As challenging as the upcoming school year may seem, there are many things that parents can do to ensure that their kids have a smoother transition into their new environment. Here are three things that you can do to help your kids deal with the resulting changes from COVID-19 protocol at school.

Have a discussion

If you have children who are returning to school, you’ll know that there are going to be a lot of things that will be different for them this time around. Be sure to have a conversation with your kids about what will be different when they get there, why it’s different, and what they will need to do to make sure that the changes are enforced.

By having an open dialogue and letting your kids ask questions, you can help them better understand what they will be dealing with, and reassure them if they have any concerns.

Make a plan

Once you and your child have talked in detail about the changes at school, it’s time to make a plan. Before the school year begins, make sure that they have all of the additional supplies they will need, including personal hand sanitizer, wipes, disposable and reusable masks, and any other personal hygiene products they may require.

It’s also crucial to express the importance of personal hygiene to your kids, especially if they’re younger. Make sure that your kids know not to touch their faces, not to share products that can’t be properly sanitized (e.g. drinks), and that they stay at home if they’re ever feeling unwell.

Reassure them

For some younger children, the changes at school may not have much of an impact, especially if it’s their first year. However, for others, the resulting changes from the pandemic can seem daunting, and even scary at times. It’s important to reassure your children that all of the precautions are only being made to ensure their health and safety and that all of this is a good thing.

Reinforcing the idea that all of the changes at school are positive will help children feel better about the situation, and ultimately, help them make a smoother transition into their new school environment. 

Although we don’t know how long COVID-19 protocols will be in place, you can make the back-to-school experience as positive as possible for your children. By having the important conversations about their health and safety, you’ll help your kids go into the new school year with confidence and reassurance.