HERE YOU'LL FIND ANSWERS TO PARENTS' COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR.
Learning loss typically refers to any loss of knowledge or skills that students experience after a break from their formal education. Before the current pandemic, it was generally spoken about as an issue resulting from summer break; however, the term has recently resurfaced in reference to the changing learning situations nearly all children experienced as a result of the pandemic.
Talk to your children about any concerns that they have about their learning prior to the start of school. If they are worried about falling or being behind after last year, reassure them that everyone is living through this pandemic and that their fellow classmates are likely experiencing the same fears. You can also contact your child’s teacher before school starts to let them know about your child’s concerns. Ask teachers and school librarians if there are any books, activities, or programs they recommend to help supplement your child’s learning, or build up their confidence before they start school. Remind your child that just because their education was different than what they expected, they still learned last year, both formally and informally, and that you are there for them to help support their efforts this school year.
As mentioned previously, many parents are concerned with their child’s social-emotional skills suffering due to school closures and social-distancing precautions. As a result, social-emotional learning (also known as SEL) is top of mind for many teachers and caregivers. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to help ensure that their child’s SEL stays on track this school year.
For younger children (grades K-5), caregivers can work with teachers to extend learning social-emotional instruction into the home. Research shows that when the social emotional lessons learned at school are maintained and reinforced at home, the benefits of those skills are greater for students. Consider calling, emailing your child’s teacher and asking them about how they define SEL, what specific SEL skills they are focusing on this year, and how you can support your child’s social-emotional development at home.
For older children (grades 6-12), it’s important to help them strike a balance between focusing on their academic work and readjusting to school (both socially and emotionally). Create space for them to have conversations with family members and friends about how they have been impacted by the uncertainty of the past year, as well as about how they are feeling in the first few weeks back in their classrooms. Simply checking in with your tween or teen, and actively listening to how they are feeling, can go a long way towards improving their overall well-being and psychological safety.
Whether your child will be entering pre-K or freshman year of high school, most schools are keeping their students and families informed by posting updates on school websites, social media groups, or through newsletters. Be sure to read all updates that the school provides, and talk to your child about new policies and rules. Some of the most important changes to prepare for are handwashing, cleaning and sanitizing school materials, and social distancing. Additionally, your child’s school may have updated policies on sick days and quarantining procedures should someone your child is in contact with contract COVID-19 (or if they contract COVID-19 themselves).
If your child or teen is experiencing anxiety about being exposed to COVID-19 at school, try and tour your child’s school with your child or teen. Show your child the handwashing and sanitizer stations, classrooms, lockers/cubbies, eating areas, and the outdoor space. If an in-person tour isn’t possible, ask if an online video tour is available, or if a school administrator might be able to talk to you and your child about the campus and overall school policies.