These uncertain times that we are living in have lots of parents wondering, “how can I get my child prepared to head back to school?”
Unfortunately, it might seem like there’s no amount of preparation that will be satisfactory enough to get your kids ready (and excited!) to go. Don’t put too much pressure on you. After all, these are unprecedented times we are living in.
Being prepared is one way to help yourself get some sleep at night if you’re stressing about what to do. If you have a child with unique learning needs, you probably already know that the best-laid plans often run afoul.
However, having a loose plan in place (that can be adapted as needed) to deal with the uncertainties of the school year ahead will not only help you feel better, but will help your child deal with the transition better, too.
Here are some tips on going back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Be Realistic About Your Child’s Health and Abilities
Most schools are returning to in-person learning this fall, at least in some capacity. Although many schools are only opening their doors to students one or two days per week, others are embracing more of an “all in model” that has children following a similar schedule as what they experienced pre-pandemic.
Whatever the case, most districts are enabling parents to make the decision about whether to send their children back or to opt for online learning. Be honest with yourself and, if possible, get the opinions of other stakeholders involved in the decision, too.
Does your child have a health condition that would affect his chances of contracting COVID? Remote learning will always be the safest way to conduct learning for these students, although there are downfalls to following this model, too. When school is entirely virtual, students miss a lot of what schools provide socially and emotionally.
If your child has a disability, that may impact his ability to participate in social distancing and other pandemic control measures, too, like proper handwashing. Have a conversation about your child’s care providers, such as teachers, administrators, and support staff, about whether a return to in-class learning is safe and prudent.
Consult Your Child’s IEP
In some cases, the terms and accommodations in your child’s IEP may be those that are just as easily conducted at home (for example, being able to use laptops for assignments or having assignments read out loud).
However, that might not always be the case. Some children who are following an individualized education program require significant educational, emotional, and behavioral support and would be better off in an in-person or hybrid model. Again, consult with the IEP team to figure out the best method of instruction for your child.
Prep Your Child For Changes When Attending School in Person
Let’s face it – the shift in routine and in what to expect during this pandemic has been far from normal for anyone. For a child with autism or another unique learning need, the shifts have been downright traumatic.
As a parent, do your best to prep your child for the dramatic changes that will be in place when he returns to school this fall.
For example, there will be no more close interaction with teachers or fellow students (no more high-fives, hugs, or anything of that nature). Playing on the playground and lunch breaks will be closely controlled, with some schools eliminating recess altogether and moving lunch to the student’s classroom.
Singing in music class, sharing art supplies, and perhaps even P.E. will be changed to prevent the spread of germs. Desks will likely be separated and divided with partitions. To say the very least, everything will look a lot different when students return to school this fall.
You can help relieve potential anxiety by answering your child’s questions honestly and gently. Do so in a developmentally appropriate manner and help put your child’s fear in perspective. Take the time to talk with your child about his concerns and be a good role model in how you deal with your own emotions about the virus – this can help reduce panic and anxiety once the return to school actually takes place.
Start Wearing Masks Now
If wearing a mask is something that has been deemed appropriate for your child based on his age, disability, and other factors, you may want to get him in the habit of wearing one now. Waiting until the day school starts to enforce a mask mandate is not going to do you any favors.
You also need to set your child up for success by wearing a mask yourself. This will help make it a habit, reinforce good behavior, and reduce frustration later, when all-day mask-wearing is required.
Set Yourself Up For Virtual Learning
Research shows that parents who participate regularly in their children’s learning, even when in an online setting, can help influence a greater level of academic achievement than others. In particular, children benefit most from regular discussions about school with their parents.
Therefore, regular, clear communication is essential. You’ll need to talk with your child regularly about any issues that might be arising as a result of the new learning model.
In addition, try to limit your child’s use of devices until all schoolwork has been completed. This can be extremely challenging to do when all of the work is being conducted with those devices! However, one report in 2016 showed that the average student checked their devices for non-class purposes an average of 11.43 times per day!
Those are some serious distractions. Try to limit your child’s access to web surfing and social media, ideally by monitoring him while he is working on assignments. Limit distractions in the surrounding environment as well. You need to create a quiet, clutter-free workspace (free of toys and other distractors) so your child can work comfortably.
Schedule Brain Breaks
If you’re going to be participating in the virtual learning model, make sure your child has access to regular brain breaks. The frequency and duration of these will depend on your child’s age and developmental level.
You might need to provide a break after your child has focused on a task for five minutes, but you might be able to wait as long as 25 minutes. Schedule in time for exercise and other activities, which can reduce stress and help your child focus better on his schoolwork.
Plan Good Time Management Strategies
Having a consistent, reliable schedule for schoolwork will help your child reduce his anxiety and transition easily into and out of school time. Set up a schedule that will be similar to what your child had when he was going to school. Attempt to stick to the same wake-up times and start schoolwork at the same time they would normally start school in the morning. As you would if your child was studying in school, use a planner to keep track of assignments and other to-dos.
Be Honest and Transparent
The most important thing that parents can do as schools reopen is to be honest and transparent (both with themselves and with school authorities).
After all, we can’t afford to blame and stigmatize people who get sick. If your child comes down with symptoms of the virus or has been exposed to a positive case, don’t try to cover it up and send him or her to school anyway. Report any symptoms to the school nurse and keep your child home if he is not feeling well.
Remember – it’s going to be a team effort when it comes to reopening schools. You wouldn’t want somebody else sending their sick child to school and infecting yours, so do everyone else the same service.
Kids Need School – Make Sure Your Child is Ready to Return
Unless your child will be starting school for the first time this year, you probably are already aware of how important school is in your child’s life. It’s not just about education – while the daily instructional material is important in your child’s development, being back in a school setting is also about interaction with peers, other adults, and the development of essential social skills.
When you have a child with autism or other unique learning needs, it is very difficult to provide the same level of instruction from a remote setting. While many schools are returning to the virtual learning model this fall – perhaps your child’s school included – hopefully, by following some of the tips above, you’ll be better equipped to make the most of this situation than you were last spring.
Schools are vital to learning and to the overall well-being of your child. If you’re nervous about sending your child back to school, remember the CDC tips for safely reopening schools for parents and that, in general, children are less likely than adults to become infected. Follow the tips above, and you’ll be able to provide your child with all the benefits of in-person schooling (without all the risks).
Further Reading
- See all COVID-19 related posts from Life Skills Advocate
- Autism in Lockdown: Expert Tips and Insights on Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic by Dr. Temple Grandin & others
- Pandemic Social Stories Direct Access by Carol Gray
- Joel Achenbach and Laura Meckler: Children are only half as likely to get infected with the coronavirus, study finds
- Cheng Yong Tan, Meiyan Lyu, and Baiwen Peng: Academic Benefits from Parental Involvement are Stratified by Parental Socioeconomic Status: A Meta-analysis
- Bernard R. McCoy: Digital Distractions in the Classroom Phase II: Student Classroom Use of Digital Devices for Non-Class Related Purposes
- CDC: Family Checklists for Going Back to School