It’s to be expected that after a long holiday such as this (6 months), children should no longer be used to the daily rigour of traffic and doing homework.
Add to that the sudden introduction of facemasks/face shields as a compulsory part of their school clothing; the merging or entire removal of some subjects and the restrictions on playgrounds during break time. That’s a lot for a child to deal with. So much change – happening too quickly. Some children may not be able to take them all in at once and may breakdown mentally or fall ill within the first two or so weeks of this ‘new normal’.
Schools can do their part to ensure they ease children into these changes by creating a strong support system and educating teachers to communicate feedback, when a child errs, with patience instead of criticisms.
Parents too should prepare children by doing the necessary health checks and having talks with them daily about their experience in the new school system. It is likely that what teachers miss in school, parents will discover at home.
Over and all, we can swin this tide together. Let’s make it happen.
I pray that God keeps us all and preserve our lives. See you on the other side of COVID19.
Cheers.
Oluwagbemileke Amoo
