Wellbeing

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I have been wondering why my house isn't as clean as it could be considering the amount of time I am spending inside it. I'm wondering if my dinner table will one day be free of magnetic letters, whiteboards and readers. I'm also wondering why the fridge is my favourite room in the house. 

I am sure we are all trying to create a sense of normalcy in these challenging times, and some days can be harder than others. I want to remind you that Dominique Furet, our school psychologist is available to speak to anyone who may require advice or support. 

Below are some considerations about creating a practical home learning environment.

Make space for learning. It is vital to create a learning space for your child, such as the kitchen table. If possible, using a different place for play or television can help to separate the school area from the family area. 

Maintain breaks such as snack times and recess. Routines and schedules help children feel safe. You could even try setting alarms to separate the time spent on different subjects when it's time to get back online, break times etc. 

Limit distractions Children are spending an extraordinary amount of time on devices at the moment. To prevent digital eye-strain, try to have some times that children are off their devices once home-learning has finished for the day. Opportunity to stretch, play and get some fresh air is essential. 

Remember to schedule a time for fun. Don't forget to schedule a time to have fun with your children. Create. Ride a bike. Walk the dog. Play board games. Charades. Bake. 

General tips for everyone 

 Everyone is experiencing a lot of different emotions right now. Be kind to yourself. Remember to stay connected by calling friends or family for a chat or face-time. Do activities which calm the mind. Express gratitude for one person or thing in your life each day. Laugh.

If you are willing to share in our next newsletter what you are doing as a family to stay positive and in the present moment, please forward a photo or a message via SeeSaw. It would be great to be inspired by families in our school community. 

Take care. You are all doing a fantastic job. 

Connie Drossaert

Wellbeing Leader