In a world dominated by the pandemic for nearly two years, if your children are attending school, you may be continually worrying about the School-Age Children best ways to protect them — and YOU — from COVID-19.
Several things are completely beyond our control, such as the public health measures in force. However, there are some things we can do to make life easier for ourselves and our loved ones during this difficult time.
The World Health Organization has published a useful pandemic checklist for parents and other caregivers of school-aged children:
Monitor your children’s boutique and health and keep them home if they are sick
Alcohol Consumption
Teach your children good hygiene practices and set an example for them: wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If you do not have access to soap and water, disinfect your hands with a hydro alcoholic solution containing at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with water and soap if they are visibly dirty.
Ensure litter is collected, stored, and safely disposed of (often students are asked to take their litter home; inspect bags backpacks, and lunch boxes every day to avoid surprises!). Sneeze and cough into your elbow or a tissue, and stop touching your face, nose, mouth, and eyes.
World Health Organization
Encourage your children to ask questions and express their feelings to you or their teachers. Remember that your children may have different reactions to stress, and you may need to be patient and understanding at times.
Avoid stigma by being fact-based and reminding your school-aged children to be respectful of their peers.
Contact your child’s school to receive updates and find out how to contribute to school safety initiatives (join a parent-teacher committee, etc.).
Communication is very important in times of stress. If your children’s school does not send you regular updates on its security measures (many schools already do), ask a member of the teaching or administrative staff to communicate this information to you in a convenient form (message electronic, printed letter, etc.).
Structure and Supports
Here are some tips from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) that you may find helpful throughout the school year. You will find practical tips on how to properly supervise your children as well as support resources that could help all family members reduce their daily stress!
Social contacts
- During the holidays, encourage your child or teen to maintain social contact with their peers so that he or she feels comfortable when returning to class. Ideally, your child should socialize with their friends in person and outdoors, while respecting the rules of distancing.
- If your child or teen is unable to see their friends in person, suggest that the video call or write a letter to a friend.
Routine
- Gradually return to the usual structure and routine of the school year.
- Explain the routine to your children and set your expectations. For example, tell them: “During the pandemic, you spent a lot more time in front of your screen. Now that school has started again, we will resume our good habits from before the pandemic.
- Set bedtime and wake-up times together.
- Set a time to turn off the screens (after this time, your children should prepare to go to bed without a screen).
- Ask your children what new habits they learned during the pandemic that they want to keep during the school year. For example, after-dinner family walks, family dance parties, etc.
- Establish your new schedule for the school year. Display it prominently for the whole family.
Support your children during this difficult time
- Stay close to your children. Children and teens do better when the adults who care for them clearly show their love for them. To show them your support, spend quality time with them, listen, check that you understand them well and show empathy. Avoid succumbing to stress or anger or being distant.
- Model healthy coping skills and teach them how to deal with adversity. For example, show them how to practice public health recommendations like wearing a mask and physical distancing by avoiding unhealthy coping strategies (e.g., focusing on negatives or criticizing).
- Show your children the positive side of the pandemic and what they learned from it. Say something like, it’s true that the pandemic has made life difficult for us, but on the other hand, we’ve had some nice times together. We even learned how to cut our hair!
Calm your children’s worries
Does the pandemic inspire fear and anxiety in your children? Given the restrictions the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing about (such as banning parents from entering schools), your child may feel more isolated or nervous in certain circumstances.
- Ask your child what scares them, be reassuring and help them solve their problem.
- Check that you understand your child’s feelings about this situation and accept them. For example, say: I see that you feel (repeat the child’s feeling) in this situation.
- Give your child the impression of mastering certain things. For example, give her a few options when choosing her baby girl dresses or her lunch.
Take care of yourself
Your health and well-being are incredibly important. Given the stress they have been experiencing since the beginning of the pandemic, it is essential that caregivers of children and adolescents understand their own emotions and needs. If you need support for self-care, talk to a professional who can refer you to community mental health resources, such as your family doctor or a counsellor. The psychological first aid course from the Canadian Red Cross includes a module on self-care.
Conclusion
In this time of uncertainty, it has become more difficult and demanding to take care of children and teenagers. By focusing your efforts on what you can control and making your well-being your priority, you will be better equipped to face these challenges.
As always, if you have any questions about your health or that of the children or loved ones in your care, speak to your healthcare professional. Also, don’t forget to download the CRC’s Practical Guide to Psychological First Aid, a free document with lots of practical advice.
