Starting school after lockdown: tips for parents
The school openings are a step towards normality, but for many students it doesn't feel normal. Friends should not be hugged and masks are compulsory in class.
What can parents do to help their children get used to the new school routine?
"It is important that children understand why they have to do something and what the measures are good for. It should be explained in a child-friendly way how infections occur and that hygiene measures help to contain them. But in my opinion, mentioning the goal is also an important motivator for children: to return to a normal school routine as soon as possible," explains pme parent advisor Jenny Rogge from Hanover.
Schools are opening, but the virus and the fear of infection are still there. No one knows how the infection rate will develop over the next few weeks.
How can parents prepare their children for a safe start to school?
"The regulations from last year have currently been tightened again in many federal states. It was also clear in many places last year that the hygiene concepts at many schools were effective and that there were no major outbreaks at schools," summarizes pme parent advisor Katrin Drescher from Bonn.
Sleeping longer in the morning is a real blessing for some students. Not having to drive to school half-asleep at 7 a.m. in the cold is one of the advantages of homeschooling. The young people also greatly appreciate being able to organize their tasks freely.
How big is the desire to return to school?
Rogge says: "Even if there are big individual differences here: Seeing their friends again is the most important thing for most of them. But many children also long to learn in a community instead of alone at home.
"Many children are also longing for everyday school life, even if this is currently still taking place under coronavirus conditions, e.g. with masks and alternating lessons. This also allows for more social interaction with teachers and classmates," adds Drescher.
However, there are also students who have never felt particularly comfortable at school - either because they don't get along with certain teachers or because they are ostracized by classmates. During the lockdown, these problems suddenly disappeared.
What can parents do to motivate their children to return?
"In many cities and municipalities, there are external experts who train teachers at schools and integrate anti-bullying concepts as a fixed component. It is important to take children's problems seriously and to talk openly about them with teachers in schools. Teachers also have a responsibility to take active action against bullying and exclusion and not to trivialize the issue, even if this requires additional discussions and measures in the classroom. The earlier you actively intervene against emerging bullying, the better you can nip it in the bud," advises Drescher.
Being alone with schoolwork all day and only having occasional contact with the teacher makes the learning situation more difficult. Not all pupils find it easy to complete tasks independently. Parents fear that their child will have too big a learning gap when they start school and won't be able to keep up.
What can parents do if their children's knowledge gaps are too large?
"If this concern exists, it is also advisable to talk to the teachers. They may already be able to assess where specific support measures are needed, possibly in the form of extra tuition. However, you should also bear in mind that everyone really is or was affected by this particular learning situation," recommends Rogge.
The pme Familienservice supports parents and their children in many areas of everyday life. New concepts were also tested during the lockdown to relieve the burden on families.
What services does the pme Familienservice offer parents with school-age children?
"As part of our parent counseling service, we can discuss fears and concerns with parents and - if necessary - refer them to support facilities or recommend learning platforms. The pme Familienservice also offers virtual childcare and online tutoring with bidi," says Rogge.
Our parent counselors
- Jenny Rogge, pme parent counselor at the Hanover location
- Katrin Drescher, pme parent counselor at the Bonn location
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