Blog September
Supporting the Transition to In-Person Learning: Reflections from a 2021 In-Camp Experience
In the midst of September, with autumn nearly upon us, we as camp professionals finds ourselves thinking about your children. Their laughter, their excitement, the smiles they brought to our faces. As they are getting settled into school routines, with camp and warm summer days seeming like a distant memory, we wonder about how they are transitioning, especially given the challenges faced in schools last year.
The fall season is often characterized by changes and transitions. The leaves start to change colours, the temperature becomes cooler, days become shorter, and a new school year begins. Students are faced with new teachers, new friends, and new experiences. This year, many are transitioning back (or for the first time!) to in-person learning, which comes with new and unexpected challenges. However, if Summer 2021 – and a return for many to in-person camp – was any indicator of the resiliency of children, we know that they are capable of success, especially with the guidance of caring, supportive adults.
This transition not only presents new challenges to children, but also to the grown-ups in their lives who care for them, and help them to navigate their emotions, social interactions, and education. Managing
these adjustments can be tricky, so we’ve shared some tips below on how you can encourage your little ones this school year.
Acknowledge and Empathize with Their Feelings
This may seem obvious, but it’s especially important to emphasize, which is why we’re sharing this one first! The return to school can prompt feelings of fear, worry, or anxiety in children, and that’s okay! It’s important to be positive in these situations, while still providing a sense of comfort and validating your child’s feelings. As a support system, encouraging your child to share these feelings, and then guiding them in developing an action plan on what to do about those feelings is a fantastic approach.
What if your child doesn’t share their feelings with you? Anxieties or stress related to school transitions can also take the form of headaches, stomachaches, or tantrums. In these cases, it’s important for kids to know that they have someone in their corner that they can share with. Give them the space and opportunity to discuss with you and provide encouragement that might help to mitigate some of the big emotions they are feeling. Share some of your positive feelings with them and let them know that you’re proud of them.
Stay Connected and Be Present
One of the biggest challenges over the past (nearly) two years has been the seemingly never-ending influx of news and communication. It can sometimes seem impossible to keep up with changes in rules, restrictions, guidelines, or best practices. However, one of the best ways to ease anxiety is to share the information you have with your child. The more you can prepare them for unexpected changes and uncertainties, such as a pivot to remote learning, will encourage flexibility and positive adjustments.
As camp professionals, we live by the importance of teamwork between ourselves and parents/guardians! The same can be said for schools and educators. Teachers are facing new challenges this year as well, but they still have the best interests of your child in mind. Be sure to stay connected and communicate with them. Watch for emails and newsletters coming home. Find ways to work together to support your child’s success. Share your concerns with them, but be understanding, aware, and empathetic of the expectations that have been set for teachers over the past two years as well.
Support Them in Creating and Sticking to Routines
The importance of setting routines in the transition from summer to school mode is always important, but perhaps even more so this year. After months of remote learning, waking up a few minutes before class, participating in pyjamas, or eating a snack whenever it’s convenient, in-person school routines might be one of the toughest challenges for students returning to school! Adults returning to work might even be struggling with this one.
By creating routines and helping your child stick to them, you can provide comfort and ease anxiety with predictability. Routines and structure will also help to keep you organized and less likely to forget the important things needed for your family. Ask your child to have some input in creating the routines and expectations to allow them to feel ownership over their day-to-day responsibilities. Planning ahead can help everyone in your family feel more secure!
Take Care of Yourself
Finally, recognize the importance of taking care of yourself. It can be difficult to support others in their success when you are not doing the same for yourself. The pandemic has been challenging for so many, and we want to let you know that you don’t have to face these challenges alone. If you’re able to, reach out to others in your circle, including friends, family, teachers, coaches, or school counsellors. Look within your network for resources to find someone to talk to or get advice from.
You are your child’s biggest role model. If you can show them that you are actively taking steps to care for yourself, they will follow suit. Transitions and challenges are not all about the end goal of success and triumph, but rather the processes and ways in which we work to get there, and how we support ourselves and each other along the way.
Sources:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-help-your-child-adjust-to-going-back-to-school-during-the-pandemic/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2021/08/01/back-to-school-tips-help-kids-adjust-post-covid/7940286002/
https://childmind.org/article/back-to-school-anxiety-during-covid/
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P6225E.pdf