鈥淲hen this is all over鈥︹澛爃as become the maxim for getting us through these challenging times, as we have adjusted to lockdown and a life seemingly in limbo. Now, as restrictions are聽being eased and schools are preparing to return, we are moving towards a much-anticipated kind of normality. But are we prepared for it?
In over 30 years as an educator, I have been privy to much discussion on going back to school. However, with things far from normal, going back to school is being met with a stronger than usual sense of trepidation.听
The 鈥渘ew normal鈥澛爓ill see our lives changed in many ways, and I know that parents and carers are worrying about the future and deciding when is best to return their children to education.
John Swinney on schools reopening: 10 things we learned
翱辫颈苍颈辞苍:听Why pupils need a 鈥榮oft start鈥 when schools return
颁辞谤辞苍补惫颈谤耻蝉:听School 鈥榳ill be a strange place for returning children鈥
The two main concerns for adults are keeping everyone safe and ensuring that children鈥檚 emotional and social wellbeing is maintained.
Although there鈥檚 no guarantee of safety, parents can be reassured that all official guidance will be followed, with clear instructions provided to families on how they can also help to protect children.
Coronavirus: Anxiety about schools reopening
Teachers, too, will be reassured by these official requirements, knowing that there will be robust support mechanisms in place.
However, parents may feel, the good thing is that children are generally very resilient. They tend to live in the moment and so will feel less worried about going back. Often their anxieties are merely a reflection of the adult鈥檚, so we need to be mindful of this.
Some parents, when thinking聽about sending their children back to school in the autumn,聽will be weighing up risk versus a need for contact -聽a longing to feel 鈥渘ormal鈥 by,聽for example, meeting up with friends.
For families with more than one child, they may not feel this strong need to connect with others outside of their household as they have become accustomed to a new kind of family life. However, this might also spark separation anxiety when the time comes to return to school.
This separation anxiety is likely to be on the part of the parents. If a child was happy in school, then going back will probably be fine. If a child felt less secure, then maybe a phased return can be negotiated.
So, here are some practical tips:
For teachers:
- The return will be initially about ensuring children鈥檚 emotional wellbeing and supporting their social re-engagement with each other.
- Embrace the opportunities provided by a smaller group, whereby you will get to know and support each individual.
- There will be no right answers - it will be a time of trial and error as the whole school reflects continually on what鈥檚 working and what鈥檚 not.
- Observation will be key.
- The children themselves will be a guide.
聽For parents:
- Don鈥檛 discuss your own, adult anxieties in front of children. Avoid the negatives and 鈥渨hat ifs鈥澛燼nd focus on the positives.
- Answer questions factually and directly, but don鈥檛 speculate based on your fears.
- Plan for returning carefully. Take more time preparing for older children and involve them in planning
- Make the preparations as concrete as possible and involve children -聽they can check their bag, wash their lunchbox, put a label on their water bottle...
- Before going back to school, organise short and frequent get-togethers with a variety of聽friends.
Dr Helen聽Prochazka is director of the聽,聽an education training institution based in Edinburgh
