Thank you to Jenna Sherman for this guest post about preparing your kids for the 2020 School Year. Jenna can be found at Parent-leaders.com
A new school year always comes with challenges, but the 2020-2021 year is very different. The coronavirus has left school districts across the country figuring out the best, safest ways to teach children for the upcoming year. With infection rates varying wildly across the country, school can look very different from one city to the next.
Here’s how to get your kids ready, no matter what.
Creating a Chore Schedule
Your whole family can do their part in helping you keep your home germ-free.
- Consider hiring a cleaning service to do a deep clean of your home.
- Assign your kids age-appropriate chores.
- Use a chore tracker to help your kids visualize the work they’ve done.
- If they’re old enough, teach them how to safely use cleaning products, such as disinfectant wipes, to clean germy surfaces.
Related Post: Creating a schedule for your child with activity options
Preparing for the Possibilities
The 2020 school year is full of uncertainties.
- Depending on your location and local regulations, your children’s school might be in-person, online-only, or a combination of the two.
- It could start one way then become another as infection rates change.
- Help your child prepare for in-person school by emphasizing safety measures.
- Prepare them for virtual schooling by creating a functional study space where they can take classes and do homework.
Dealing with Fears
Children are carrying a lot of anxiety right now: Here’s how to help them manage it.
- Help them learn how to identify and express their emotions.
- This PBS article will help explain the pandemic in simple terms.
- Encourage them to work their stress out through exercise, hobbies, or other activities. Lala to Mama has a wonderful list of activities to consider.
- If they’re old enough to write, help them start a feelings journal.
Give your kids the best foundation possible this year. The 2020 school year is going to be an odd one, and it may be scary. However, your family can work together to protect one another and keep your risk low.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
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