Your questions answered: how to keep children learning through COVID-19
Every single day of school counts. This year, school closures due to COVID-19 have impacted the learning of 247 million children in India and stopped another 28 million from attending their anganwadi centre. As schools across the country start to reopen, many parents and caregivers have important questions about their child’s safety and mental…, What questions should I be asking my child’s teacher or school administration? , Going back to school will likely look a little different from what you and your child were used to before. It’s possible that schools may reopen for a period of time and then a decision may be made to close them again temporarily, depending on what’s happening in your community. During such a worrying and disruptive time, it’s natural to have a…, What should I do if my child has fallen behind?, Students across India have shown just how much they want to keep learning. They have persisted with their lessons under difficult circumstances, with the support of their dedicated teachers and parents. But many children will need extra support to catch up on their learning when schools reopen. Many schools are making plans for catch-up lessons to…, What should I do if my child is struggling to get back into “school mode?”, Remember that your child will be dealing with the stress of the ongoing crisis differently from you. Create a supportive and nurturing environment and respond positively to questions and expressions of their feelings. Show support and let your child know that it’s not only okay, but normal, to feel frustrated or anxious at times like this. Help…, My child is scared to go back to school. How can I help them feel at ease?, Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. You can make them feel at ease by having an open conversation about what it is that’s worrying them and letting him know that it’s natural to feel anxious. Children may feel nervous or reluctant to return to school, especially…, My child’s school is recommending the wearing of protective clothing, which is making my child feel more nervous. What should I say to them?, Approach this conversation with empathy, saying that you know they are feeling anxious about coronavirus, but that it’s healthy to talk about our worries and emotions. Children may also get upset or frustrated if they are finding it hard to wear masks, especially when running or playing. You can reassure your children that lots of adults are…, How can I support my child to keep learning from home?, The government has engaged many channels to help children learn from home, like web portals, mobile apps, TV and radio, as well as on-going efforts to provide textbooks to children’s homes. For the parents and families facilitating this learning, here are some tips from UNICEF’s Global Chief of Education on how keep education on track from home:…, Tips for supporting children to learn from home, Plan a routine together Try to establish a routine that factors in age-appropriate education programmes that can be followed online, on the television or through the radio. Also, factor in play time and time for reading. Use everyday activities as learning opportunities for your children. And don’t forget to come up with these plans together where…
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