HOMEWARD BOUND FROM SCHOOL - KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE, HEALTHY, HAPPY...STILL LEARNING !
As we have been impacted by the (COVID-19) coronavirus, our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to everyone personally tried (stricken) by the illness. The situation has brought great concern, even declared at pandemonium status. While there’s uncertainty, escalated to world-wide community alert - schools, higher educational institutions, businesses, hospitals, travel industry, and others venture into new territory. Many of us may be experiencing real anxiety, somewhat helplessness because the situation is evolving daily…even as I write this post. Navigating and/or adjusting to what to do to stay safe & healthy, during this unfamiliar state of emergency like situation has taken priority for many! In response to pertinent (COVID-19) updates, businesses, colleges, schools have reassessed their practices, or normal way of operation. Thus, finding alternative ways to keep productive, yet protecting their students, customers, employees, community & families.
True enough there’s some complexity of finding best ways to isolate spread of the virus. However, The CDC, Center for Disease Control has advanced recommendations associated to coronavirus. Proactive steps to help protect your health. In the meantime, schools have taken measures to also protect our children by shutting down temporary, while remaining connected & updated by authorities that help guide their decision-making. Also, with the schools being closed allows opportunity to clean, disinfect, plan, and make those decisions relative to school activities. Parents now find themselves scrabbling to make alternative child care arrangements. Adjust their schedules, daily routines, to accommodate perhaps their child’s home-based activities, during a not anticipated school closing. Let’s not forget our children participating in a daycare setting. Parents may feel the necessity to temporary remove their youngster(s) from group care arrangement. Concerned about their child’s close social interaction (space) with playmates, staff and other individuals in the child care setting. This is understandable, being that parents are quite aware of the great safety-health measures other learning institutions, businesses & government entities have adopted or were mandated. Throughout the time, preferably during the hours where children are normally in school, set up some activities they are familiar. That is, doing work from math, reading, social studies, and writing workbooks. Visit familiar age and grade appropriate interactive learning websites such as PBS Kids, ABC Mouse, Scholastics for Kids, National Geographic Kids. Some of the websites offer printable(s), brain break activity videos where children can move…dance! Kids can do exercises - lead by other children, and/or adults when watching interactive learning/music videos. Plus, videos where children can play GAMES, and just have great fun! It’s a good idea to talk with your child about the COVID-19, and ways to keep them safe- healthy. Parents should reassure younger children, especially adolescences and teens, who too are quite concerned with COVID-19 impact, that you and the world-community are working together to help keep them protected. Staying home from school during whatever period necessary, is all part of the safe care and protection process.
In as much as being home-based, let children know - learning and fun activities do not have to stop. Here are some things parents & caregivers can do to create a learning home-based environment for kids.
Set up a ‘ready to learn space’ at home. Include pillows, a mat, sized table and chair. Add plenty of writing paper, pads, pencils, crayons, markers and a good place to hold a variety of fantastic , age appropriate books…read aloud books. REMEMBER, MARCH is READING MONTH! Use this stay at home time wisely to encourage children to explore different books…read more! Help children to remain engaged by also reading to them. Ask open end questions about what was read. Also, encourage them to make predictions, and even retell the story. Remember, it’s ok to pause when reading to answer children’s questions, reiterate and clarify. Your child may be use to enjoying stories, read aloud books on the carpet at school with friends. Set up if available and make accessible a computer, or I-pad in the ‘ready to learn space.’ Facilitate an environment where your child’s learning juices and physical energy can flow.
Create an interesting day of activities schedule - allow time for transition from one activity to another. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, caring family member, or friend - responsible adult charged with a child’s care… make a schedule! It doesn’t have to be complicated, just realistic and achievable. The goal is to keep children engaged, productive, and safe while having some fun.
Set up art activities to include kids having the option to use paint, crayons, glue and paper to draw; Scissors to cut out pictures from colorful magazines. Include sorting, classifying, and creating stories using magazines pictures and word text. Make play dough, sticky goo and more!
Listen to a variety of music! You can also combine art activity and music. Here’s how…play classical, jazz, dance, pop, relaxing, instrumental, and/or other interesting music. Ask children to listen first. Next, play the music again, while the second time, ask your child, “How does the music make you feel?” What do you think about, or see in your mind’s eye as you listen?” Draw a picture…something the music makes you think about! Parents and other will be surprised at the creativity, delight and insight of youngsters.
Pick a day to do a hands-on thematic science experiment. First, find out what things interest your child or the child in your care. Ask questions that start by you saying “What if, and Why do you think this happens? How do you think a clock works?”
Use snack and meal times as an opportunity to promote conversation and build relationship. Allowing time to really enjoy healthy foods, and talk about what’s on the child’s mind. Even teens can be motivated to discuss relevant issues, and their concerns at mealtimes. (Note: Many school districts along with the state of Michigan, Detroit Schools Community District, largest school district in Michigan, as well as districts in the surrounding area - have set up distribution points for grab-and-go meals. Visit the school district website in your area to find the locations near you.)
Don’t disregard the importance of outside activities. Your child is use to having recess. So naturally, children want to go outside and play, provided that it is deemed in their best interest. Let them jump, climb safely, run, kick a ball, shoot a couple of hoops, and release stored up energy.
Home-based situations also promote more time to care for, or give additional attention to pets. This consist of walking pets, grooming and playing games with them.
NOTE: CHILD CARE - While school has temporarily closed following safe & health precautions, parents are very concern about keeping or placing their child in a child care facility. It is certainly a decision you must take serious at this critic, uncertain time of coronavirus spreading. Some daycare centers have closed or are anticipating interruption of services, thus following school districts mandated closures. Again, demonstrating responsible, aggressive actions to protect our children and adults. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), working with Department of Health & local health authorities has a prepared, designated plan, and responses - updating information to reflect slowing the spread of disease, and protecting vulnerable students and staff. If you are a child care facility ramp up sanitizing, cleaning and washing toys, especially those mouthed by little ones. HANDWASHING for children and adults is a must! Also have sanitizer accessible too. Parents can help by making sure their child in a care situation other than home-based have clean blankets, sheets for napping, Make sure bedding is washed regularly. Keep children home if they are sick. In as much as having flu-like symptoms or fever of 100.4 or higher. Employers should encourage staff NOT to come to work with flu symptoms, or have tested positive with COVID-19. Parents should too advise the child care center director(s), if they have been diagnosed, or come in contact with someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus. Even though child care facilities may be considered a more controlled environment, generally with a small number of children in a group or classroom, parents should still ask questions. Ask about the recommended safe-sleeping distance between cots when children are napping or resting. This is a necessary question to ask. You want to do more listening to hear how staff respond. You can also go online to Child Care Licensing Rules, for the State where you live, and know! Plus, ask HOW will your child be positioned on their cot, sleeping mat or crib. Meaning, not sleeping face-to-face toward other children, where a sneeze or cough droplets, have a greater chance to travel from one child to another. Moreover, its surely OK and appropriate to ask this question…”How is the child care center responding to safety and health precautions regarding the coronavirus?”
WEBSITES TO GO FOR MORE INFORMATION, RESOURCE ABOUT THE COVID-19 Coronavirus…health and safety guidelines for parents, groups, schools & communities: CDC, https://www.cdc.govcoronavirus/2019-nov/about/prevention-treatment.html, local public health department, American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP.org for COVID-19 updates, WHO (World Health Organization). who.int
Let’s take care of ourselves & family members, plus have genuine consideration, and concern for others. Demonstrate unified actions that will get us through this world community emergency situation.
Article by Eartha L. DeYampert, Senior Consultant