Helping Our Children Stay on Track
Welcome back to Term 2 at A.B. Paterson College…
The Coronavirus has put schools across the world in an extraordinary position, compelling many to quickly transition from traditional, in-person education to an online experience. This is a new skill for many, so the degree of change can’t be overstated, yet our teachers are focused on getting it right so they can continue to provide a great educational experience for our students – their end game is to teach, model and build academic and social capital that will lead to full and successful lives beyond school.
Normally, this week would have seen many students returning to school. But here, like in schools across the globe, our students are engaging in online learning – adjusting to this ‘new normal’ is often a challenge for many students. A few days into our new term, I have picked up some tips and strategies our teaching staff are using to ensure students are engaged in what they are doing.
Firstly, please remind your children to focus on what they can control. Significant events that are outside their control, like the spread of COVID-19, tend to create a lot of anxiety in both children and adults. I have previously spoken about reducing the volume of news that children watch, because of the types of alarmist behaviour in news and on social media.
Children will have had some exposure to panic buying either directly (by observing empty supermarket shelves) or indirectly (seeing videos of people fighting over goods on the news or social media). Under strained and stressful conditions, fear can result in panic, and panicked children can act impulsively. It seems trivial but reminding children of the correct handwashing technique and practicing this with them, is a way they can positively contribute. Additionally, at home, give children responsibility like helping care for a sibling, looking after a pet, doing some washing, folding, packing or unpacking the dishwasher, keeping their room tidy or assisting with meals – all of which helps to focus attention on what they are able to do and this in turn can allay some anxiety attributed to this situation.
Parents can further support their children by assisting in the maintenance of a routine while at home. This routine will look different depending on the age of your child – for example, older children are more likely to adhere to a timetabled school day, whereas younger children need more support. Exploring the next day’s learning will help to provide the scaffold younger children need, and reviewing the schedule beforehand helps children to build their confidence that will in turn increase their independence with the online learning medium. Our A.B. Paterson College Online Learning Plan provides a structure to follow each day for both Junior and Senior School children. Based on your invaluable feedback, we introduced a wide array of educational platforms to support student learning and connection between students and their teachers. We have ensured that the daily schedule includes a balance of academic, creative, physical and social activities with clear expectations for participation and readiness. Irrespective of age, keeping your child to a routine schedule will create predictability and also help to reduce anxiety.
While social distancing is vital, staying in touch with friends is also important for children of all ages. Providing opportunities to interact socially with peers helps everyone maintain their connection and often boosts their mood. Please encourage your son/daughter to continue to connect with peers during their breaks, as well as before and after school. Some of our youngest students have found Microsoft Teams to be a great way to stay connected, with many working out how to call their classmates using this same technology – in their breaks of course!
Ensuring a designated work zone in your home can help students maintain a focus on work. Of course, they spend a lot of time moving around at school, so it is important to ensure they are still engaging in activities they enjoy while they are at home. If it is practical, try to spend some time outside riding, jogging or walking. Staying active as a family can also have positive impacts on mood for everyone, not just our children.
Capitalise on the chance for some family time, whether it’s playing board games, or working on a project in the house or garden. This past holiday has been a reminder of holidays of old – long days that seem to stretch forever with nowhere to be, and no back to back activities scheduled into a day that require precision planning to manage successfully. For decades it seems as though our world has continually expanded – our connections, opportunities and choices have become larger and larger – and momentarily, it has all paused.
It is also important for parents to remind our children that we have the opportunity to choose our mindset. A positive mindset is going to help us all cope with these changed circumstances. We can choose to feel restricted and confined, or we can choose to consider that this situation gives us a type of freedom. Remember that children will take a lead from adults about how to behave in difficult situations, maintaining a sense of calm will help children cope, particularly during this time.
It is also equally important to look after yourself as a parent or carer; keep an eye on your sleeping, eat well, spend time doing activities you enjoy, and look into relaxation and mindfulness techniques to help maintain your calm.
Helping our children feel in control is important, and in turn will help our children continue to make strides forward with their education; the secondary gain that we are modelling and preparing them for a future where they may be required to work more flexibly too.
Joanne Sheehy
Principal/Head of College
