With schools set to open again for Nursery, Reception and Year One age groups, children (and Parents) will be feeling a range of emotions. Children will be excited about seeing their teachers and friends again. They may also be feeling a bit apprehensive and unsure after being away for so long.
It has been such a time of uncertainty along with change and children will respond to this in different ways. In order to facilitate a positive transition it is important to talk about how school or nursery may look and feel a bit different to how it used to.
Firstly, talk to your child about the learning environments and how these will have some changes and will have been modified. We all know social distancing will be hard for young children to understand however chat to them about trying not to get too close to their teacher or other children. Discuss how their class will be smaller and not all their friends may be there. They may also be in a completely different room to where they usually are or may be spending a lot of time outside.
There will be lots of exciting learning opportunities for them to get involved in. Talk to your children about these and how they will be done in a much smaller groups and with different resources. Let them know that while learning through sand and water play etc may not be taking place there will be plenty of other fun things to do.
Encourage children to wash their hands independently and thoroughly and talk about how they need to remember to do this when they are back at school or nursery.
Talk to your children about how they are feeling about going back to school. This will help to address any worries or anxiety they may be feeling. Remind your child of all the things you have done during lockdown so they will be able to talk about this with their teacher.
The most important thing is that everyone feels safe and supported. After the first day back, chat with your child about what things at school or nursery have changed, what feels unfamiliar and anything that is the same.
Keep safe and well everyone.