Prepare Your Young Child to Return to School During the Coronavirus

It seems like yesterday that schools and child care providers across Georgia were closing their doors because the Coronavirus was sweeping through our state. How can it be August already and time for a new school year to start?

For many parents, the days since the March school closings have been long and often full of worry and uncertainty. Not having dependable child care, summer camps or school during these months may have created additional stress. Even so, we hope that families have been able to find some good moments together during this time, bolstering them for the school year ahead.

Schools, including Pre-K classes, across Georgia are opening back up this week (and in the weeks to come) with children attending classes in-person and virtually. As you are preparing for the new school year, most likely you are managing a mix of feelings right now, including some relief that school and a daily schedule is starting again; concern about your child’s health if they are attending school in-person; and, even a little frayed at the edges as you continue to juggle all of the demands on your time as a parent and employee.

If you are dealing with all of these emotions right now you can bet that your child has similar ones. Now would be a good time to talk with them about their worries, misconceptions, and even fears about returning to school, or starting a new school or child care program. It’s important that they know you hear them and do not discount their feelings.

We’ve found some resources to help guide you through talks with your children and support them as they work through these big emotions concerning COVID-19 and returning to school.

Learning Through Stories and Other Resources

Autism Little Learners is a great website with lots of resources for parents and teachers of early years and elementary aged children. She has written a series of COVID-19 related stories to provide children with information that they can understand and help soothe their fears and anxiety about certain situations such as riding the bus or going back to school.

“I Am Going Back to School” by Aileen Mui and Vivian Wong offers early learners a teachable moment during this confusing time. This cute and informative book is available in three languages (English, Chinese and Spanish) for free.

UNICEF: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health as They Return to School During COVID-19 was created as a guide to help parents navigate their feelings during school re-openings.

Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19 was created by the National Association of School Psychologists. It includes tips adults can use to talk and reassure children as well as reminders on what to say and behaviors they should model for their children’s learning.