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How You Can Protect Your Schoolchild During Covid-19

Posted: 19th April 2021 08:00

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the face of education worldwide. Going back to school has become a worrisome matter for a lot of parents, and it’s no wonder that you might just be wondering how you can keep your child safe during this crisis. Don’t worry – read on to find out the ins and outs of going to school during the pandemic, and what you can do as a parent to keep your child safe.

Be Aware of the Measures in Place

Before resorting to anything drastic, you should remain aware of what specific safety measures your child’s school has implemented. The decision regarding any hygiene procedures or whether the learning is done in-person or not is usually made on a local level, by various task forces, government representatives, or school boards. Remaining aware of what measures your child’s school is taking can be a good indicator of the risk present to them. In other words, if measures are not strict then it’s likely that the risk to them is low.

Of course, some institutions, like Visitation School in Minnesotahave opted for a hybrid framework. Those who wish to remain at home can do so, while in-person learning can resume for the rest of the school population. However, if cases go up, then the school will be run remotely in full. You can find out more about this at visitation.net. Irrespective of the method used by your child’s institution, you should be aware of it and plan accordingly!

Gamify Things

Children love games – that’s a fact of life. And what better way to get them to learn a new skill – like hand-washing – than by making it into a game? Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent against infection with coronavirus, and so it’d be helpful to get them into the habit of washing their hands when they come in from school, for example, or after having used the bathroom.

You could entice your child to wash their hands by rewarding them after each time they’ve washed their hands properly. You could also make a song out of the whole procedure, or even design a ‘how-to’ poster together. Making it fun is all that matters! However, don’t forget to be patient with them and let them adjust into this new pattern – be a role model for them, and never make them afraid to ask for help if they need it (e.g., if they have forgotten a certain step or for how long to wash their hands for).

Listen to Them

The main focus of all major media outlets at the moment is Covid-19 – and for some children, it may feel very overwhelming. If they come to you with any concerns then it’s very important that you listen to them and take them seriously – ultimately, mental health is just as important as physical health. Reassuring them that you are there for them no matter what is a key aspect of this, as they will need someone to rely on for the foreseeable future.

In conclusion, apart from the standard symptom checking, it’s important to stay up to date regarding your school’s Covid policy. Furthermore, it’s necessary to listen to your child, and make the whole thing as fun as it can be.

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