Gearing up to send kids back to in person learning

Stressing out about schools opening back up and what to do to prepare your child for going back to in-person learning? Here’s what you need to know and links to check out to make sure you and your child are prepared for what is coming.

Review and practice proper hand washing techniques at home, especially before and after eating, sneezing, coughing, and adjusting a mask or cloth face covering. Make hand washing fun and explain to your child why it’s important.

  • Be familiar with how your school will make water available during the day. Consider packing a water bottle.

  • Develop daily routines before and after school—for example, things to pack for school in the morning (like hand sanitizer and an additional (back up) mask) and things to do when you return home (like washing hands immediately and washing masks).

  • Talk to your child about precautions to take at school. Children may be advised to:

    • Wash and sanitize their hands more often.

    • Keep physical distance from other students. Reinforce the concept of physical distancing with your child.

    • Wear a mask.

      • Have multiple masks, so you can wash them daily and have back-ups ready. Choose masks that

      • Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

      • Completely cover the nose and mouth

      • Are secured with ties or ear loops

      • Include multiple layers of fabric

      • Allow for breathing without restriction

      • Can be washed and machine dried without damage or change to shape

      • Label your child’s masks clearly in a permanent marker so that they are not confused with those of other children.

      • Practice with your child putting on and taking off masks without touching the cloth.

      • Explain the importance of wearing a mask and how appropriately worn masks reduce the chances of getting and spreading COVID-19.

      • Consider talking to your child about other people who may not be able to wear masks for medical reasons (e.g., asthma).

      • As a family, model wearing masks, especially when you are in situations where physical distancing is difficult to maintain or impossible.

      • If you have a young child, help build their comfort wearing a mask and become comfortable seeing others in masks.

        • Praise your child for wearing a mask correctly.

        • Put a mask on stuffed animals.

        • Draw a mask on a favorite book character.

        • Show images of other children wearing masks.

        • Allow your child to choose their mask that meets any dress requirements your school may have.

      • Consider providing your child with a container (e.g., labeled resealable bag) to bring to school to store their masks when not wearing it (e.g., when eating)

    • Avoid sharing objects with other students, including water bottles, devices, writing instruments, and books.

    • Use hand sanitizer (that contains at least 60% alcohol.) Make sure you’re using a safe product.

  • Plan for transportation:

    • If your child rides a bus, plan for your child to wear a mask on the bus and talk to your child about the importance of following bus rules and any spaced seating rules.

    • If carpooling, plan on every child in the carpool and the driver wearing masks for the entire trip. If your school uses the cohort model, consider finding families within your child’s group/cohort at school to be part of the carpool.

The more prepared you can make your child for this transition back to in person learning the less stress you will encounter when they get to move back toward some normalcy.

Emily Browning