From our Leaders of Wellbeing

The most important thing for parents to focus on during remote learning is wellbeing. It’s the number one priority.

Dr Nicole Brunker, Lecturer in Education at the University of Sydney, says that there are five key areas of wellbeing during a lock down-and this goes for adults as well: it’s about play, it’s about getting outside, it’s about exercising, it’s about socialising and it’s about monitoring engagement of the news. 

This means not having the news on in the background and having age-appropriate discussions about what is happening in the world. It also may mean setting up zoom playdates where a parent may facilitate an activity while the other parents work. Or playing outside with your child, which Brunker states can also be a powerful place of learning for both the parent and the child.

In supporting wellbeing it also means letting something go. Brunker says that we’ve got to accept that not everything will get done. We’ve got to accept that there will be distractions and ebbs and flows in motivation.

During lock down, however can also be a time to reflect and spend quality time as a family. It is also important that adults take the time to look after themselves so they can continue to effectively look after their children.

This pandemic isn’t a time to feel pressured but a time to do whatever it takes to ease the stress. It doesn’t matter how you find peace in a world full of chaos, just do what is right for you. Be kind to yourself.