Sara Peters, mother of three and Possip team member, shares advice about preparing your child for the 2021-2022 school year.
While I think many parents were optimistic that this new school year would be totally “normal,” this is not the reality. As schools open, we are still dealing with the pandemic and ensuing Covid safety protocols. For certain schools and districts, restrictions may have been eased, for others, it may look a lot like last school year. Either way, we have some tips for preparing your child for the 2021-2022 school year.
1.Explain the “why” to children about Covid Safety Protocols
Take the time to explain to kids the WHY behind the way things are being done this school year. Especially for kids who did distance/remote learning last school year or younger children entering school for the first time, explaining, for example:
- “Masks keep you and your classmates safe.”
- “We sit spaced out to slow the spread of germs and keep each other healthy!”
2.Prepare your child by asking questions
As a mother of three school aged children, one thing I’ve learned over the years is to ask when you don’t know something or when you need something for your child. Educators and administrators want to help you. Unsure of who to ask? Classroom teachers, principals and counselors are always a great place to start. If they can’t help you, chances are they can point you in the direction of someone who can help.
3. Prepare your child for strong routines
We struggle with this every single school year. But many years into the back-to-school routine with children, I’ve realized how creating a few strong routines can really help both the transition back to school and the day-to- day. Some examples:
- Have your child pick out their outfit the night before, and lay it out—this gives them both a sense of control, and avoids the last minute “I can’t find my green shirt” in the morning.
- My life saver has been to make lunches and snacks the night before—seems like a small thing, but ends up saving at least 20 minutes in the mornings.
4. Give yourself a “temperature check” too
As the school year is getting underway, I realized that I was anxious about the school year! Realizing this, I made a conscious choice to try and not transfer this anxiety to my children. Taking a moment to “check your own temperature” might allow you to get in the best mindset for this upcoming school year.
