School’s back! Here’s How to Prepare Your Preschooler as the World Goes Offline

1. School’s back! Here’s how to prepare your preschooler as the world goes offline “No more pencils, no more books, No more teachers, dirty looks. Out for summer, out ’til fall, We might not come back at all. School’s out!” With the start of the pandemic, these lines by Alice Cooper felt true to a great extent. This song was written to be sung on the last day of school. But to everyone’s disappointment it turned out to be true for a much much longer time for kids who were about to start their journey; the preschoolers! Schools, day care centres, public spaces, businesses, everything was shut. The pandemic affected each one of us equally, leaving us cooped up in our home. Parents of

2. preschoolers had the most daunting of all tasks, to ensure their kids studied while being at home. But the drop in covid cases in 2022 led to the reopening of schools and the start of preschool admissions as well. So these same parents are now facing the opposite and equally challenging problem of preparing their little ones for extended periods outside their home, and at school. And while this might be tough, but it is extremely important for parents to provide their kids with opportunities for social interaction & physical activities in their formative years. After approximately 2 years of isolation & schooling from home, let’s get all of you parents ready for an unprecedented school year. Introduce proper time management Because of the stay-at-home regimen, studying, sleeping and eating schedules went haywire. When kids were attending classes online, they were not expected to get up early, dress up and leave for school. They were able to eat or play according to their wishes. But now with the schools opening up, kids need to be more in control of their team. Hence, parents need to encourage consistency & establish a daily wake-up, getting dressed, breakfast, and family time routine for their kids. Moreover, they need to monitor their television & internet timings after & before school.

3. Educate them about the new normal Playing with friends, sharing lunches with them, will not be the same even after the reopening of schools. It is very crucial for a healthy preschool or day care experience that he/she understands the new school environment. Find out what they already know and ask questions according to their age. But if they don’t seem interested don’t force them to answer. They probably don’t understand why they are not allowed to play with their friends or share their tiffins as they did before. Explain it to them by giving a simple brief about some pandemic facts combined with reassurances that the parents and the teachers at their school are there to keep them healthy. Encourage healthy habits After telling the kids about the ‘new normal’. It is time for them to be prepared for it. How? By inculcating healthy habits. Help them understand the importance of maintaining hygiene during this situation. Teach them how to properly wash their hands more often. Show them how to lather soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds before washing hands with water. Parents should teach the kids why it is important to do so, as it stops germs from harming their body & helps them to stay healthy. According to Kids Health organisation, studies have proved all the concerns about masks being unsafe for kids wrong. Hence, parents should ensure that every child above 2 years wear a mask. They should educate the kids about how they should always cover their nose & mouth with a mask. In order to make it more fun for kids, parents can also get masks of their kid’s favourite colour or masks with cartoon prints & give that personal touch to it. Along with the masks, the kids should also be taught how they should now maintain distance while talking. They will learn at a quicker rate & this will prepare these young kids to withstand any health issues. Foster healthy eating habits by giving them a balanced diet & enough sleep at home & if they are in any day care centre, make sure they get the same there. Motivate them to participate in preschool activities If a parent thinks that his/her child is being apprehensive about going back offline, remind them about the bright part of the offline mode. Tell the kids that they will be able to meet & play with their friends & teachers. Motivate them to reconnect with their classmates while taking care of their health. Turn this goodbye into a positive one & do not hesitate while dropping them at the school. Just remember, even if they feel

4. swamped the first day, with the help of their supportive teachers & environment of the school they’ll get over it in the next few days . The educators at Little Wings, a Day Care Centre in Shela ensure that every kid indulges in physical & mental activity to develop stamina in their bodies to bear the change. So a parent can be carefree at home or can focus on their work. Keep checking the kid’s mental health During the pandemic, the kids spent a lot of time with their families at their home. And many children have become used to having their parents around all the time. Hence, this shift to offline classes after almost two years may lead to separation anxiety among children. And this stress or anxiety in kids can lead to lifelong problems in learning, behaviour along with physical & mental health. Parents should always help their kids feel in control and feel heard. Let the children know that it is totally normal to feel stress and assure them that this will not last forever. A parent should be a good listener & encourage them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. They should make sure to take time out and listen to the kid’s day at the preschool or day care. Last but not the least, the caregiver AKA the parent, should also take care of themselves, as it hampers their ability to take care of their child. Moreover, the young kids observe & react if their parents are in stress.

5. As a parent, just be prepared for the diverse needs of the kids & don’t forget to offer extra hugs and say “I love you” more often. Let’s make this transition a happy one for them! Meanwhile if you are looking for pre-school admissions for your child or looking for the best day care centre in the Bopal, South Bopal and Shela area just drop us an email at hr@littlewings.net or give us a call on +91 8980801304. Content source