The isolation related to the COVID-19 pandemic is causing both physical and mental health concerns for children worldwide. Children surviving extraordinary circumstances last 18 months. They are not going to school & adapted to a new form of learning. They miss precious memories of their joyful days in schools/ colleges & dealing with strict quarantines at the age when they need to socialize. Results showing about 86% of the respondents reported changes in children’s behavior and expression of emotions because of prolonged isolation, including difficulty concentrating, boredom, irritability, restlessness, loneliness & discomfort. The pandemic has been especially hard for children with disabilities, & underprivileged section. As per survey, more than 61% of parents with lower incomes have children in remote schools, facing obstacles in digital learning, lack of reliable internet, smart-phone, no computer at home or hot meals.
‘School’ represents a crucial context that plays an important role in promoting young people’s well-being. They are learning under difficult circumstances, with the support of their dedicated teachers and parents. Schools provide more than just academics to children and adolescents. In addition to reading & writing, students learn social, critical and emotional skills, exercise, and other developmental modules catering different age groups. School administrators and their teams have been struggling day-to-day to keep crisis online learning operations afloat while navigating ever-changing future predictions. We applaud their valiant commitment.
Parents who want to Homeschool their children but still have some reservations about it should take time to consider the positive and negative aspects, both. Advantages: adding flexibility to suit Child’s needs, freedom to choose teaching & learning content, personalized education tailored according to child’s need or interests & creating strong bonds with their Kids. But, on the downside, parents feel stressed out to do the housework and monitor the classes online. To look at the curriculum, listening to the child’s needs, keeping them occupied, and grading their academic performance involves a lot of effort and time. While in process, parents may not have enough time left to look after their personal needs or to continue jobs outside, most of the time. Excessive Interaction & Spending too much time with small children might make them feel confined and frustrated. Parents also miss some opportunities as they may not be able to provide all the educational facilities at home & the child misses to socialize.
The return to school is an important and hopefully welcome step, given the difficulty of the situation and variation across the World; where countries are in different stages regarding reopening of schools. Schools are safe, stimulating, and enriching places for children and teens to learn. Families, schools, and parents can work together to help ensure students can safely return to and remain physically together in school, where they need to be. These decisions will usually be made by national or state governments, often in discussion with local authorities, considering the benefits and risks across education, public health and socio-economic factors. It’s crucial that schools plan ahead with additional measures in place to help ensure students, teachers and other staff are in sound health & vaccinated when they return. Communities & parents should be confident in sending their students back to school.
Given the possibility that schools may not open full time or for all grades, schools implement a ‘blended/bridge learning’ model, a mix of classroom instruction and remote education (self-study through take home exercises, radio, TV or online learning). Many schools are making classes for catch-up lessons to cover back-log. This might include remedial courses, after-school programs or supplemental assignments to be done at home. Parents have to give extra support to their child at home by creating a routine with school and homework. Create a supportive and nurturing environment and respond positively to queries and their feelings. Let our child know that it’s not only okay, but normal, to feel frustrated or anxious at times like this. Remember that our child is dealing with the stress of the ongoing crisis differently from us.
When formal Education resumes after the Covid-19 crisis, many educators will feel the urgent need and desire to “pick up where we left off.” Educators should give space in the classroom to child’s individual peers & to provide appropriate support to facilitate re-adjustment among students. Children often feel more comfortable drawing or playing as a means of expressing and dealing with their feelings. Accept children’s confusion, uncertainty, as they are still processing and need time to organize or resolve. Provide opportunities for children to reconnect socially and with the environment. It would recognize & adapt to the learning that takes place beyond 4 walls, by regularly assessing students’ skills & tailoring learning opportunities to meet students at their driving level. Schools should not mislead children by providing them with a false sense of safety. Instead, they could say, for instance, “We are now back at school, and all adults are working to make this last, but if the coronavirus should return, we will have to take new measures.”
Tumpa Datta Gupta
Educationalist, Founder & Social Entrepreneur
Green Wings Preschool Educational Network.
Mysore
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