Supporting a Smooth Transition into the 2020-2021 School Year

The transition of schools from in-person to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge that most parents are facing and learning to overcome. The transition has been a tough one as many of the habits and practices set in place, along with mental and emotional wellbeing have been affected. However, it is important to remain positive and hopeful that we can tackle this challenge and come out stronger.

Through Community Education Services, Registered Psychologist Michelle Deen and Learning Specialist Shelly Hutton hosted a webinar, “Supporting a Smooth Transition into the 2020-2021 School Year. Discussed and outlined were ways in which parents can support their children during this time and the upcoming school year.

Tips in Supporting Transitions into School

The first tip, and something we can often forget to do, is to be mindful and acknowledge your child’s and your feeling during this time. It is important to remain calm and be positive that you can support your child and get through it together. Parents should then build open communication with their children and try to relate and validate their feelings to build perspective and be able to move forward together.

As we continue with online learning and building open communication with our children, we can begin to identify ways in which they learn best.  This may include different learning methods or determining where they work best. We can also identify strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning to be able to support them and inform teachers of those strengths and weaknesses to further support the transition to online learning and help children prosper.

The transition has also affected families’ daily routines but despite our new way of life, parents can still make children feel like they still have a routine. Some fun and easy tips included:

–    Practicing morning routines

–    Continuing to prepare lunch meals

–    Driving by the school

–    Shopping online for school supplies

Children have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their emotional and mental wellbeing, however, Michelle Deen reassured parents that most children will go back to normal. The key is to be open with your children and be hopeful for the best.