Hi Everyone,

VERY INTERESTING!!

I often read the news on the internet (contributing to the lack of newspaper in the art room!).

This week I read about a man who was researching family history and came across a bundle of old postcards. On one of the postcards, it mentioned QUARANTINE restraints on travel AND VACINATIONS due to a SMALL POX PANDEMIC IN AUSTRALIA IN 1913! Lockdown lasted 145 days. You can read about it at

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-17/family-nostalgia-in-the-age-of-covid-history/100488348

What joy, what excitement to see some of our younger students return to onsite learning! I am sure that there must be some very tired ‘little’ people getting used to full days at school again!

As our students return, one thing many of them will be navigating is the use of MASKS! REMEMBER WHEN YOU ANTICIPATED WEARING YOUR FIRST MASK, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC? As an introvert, I found it daunting but soon realised that every other adult was ‘in the same boat’. Fogging up of glasses is my main gripe, but you get used to it.

So how can we as parents help our children navigate the use of MASKS?

Tune into your child’s feelings about face masks. ‘When we talk, breathe, cough and sneeze, tiny drops of snot and saliva can come out of our nose and mouth. Face masks can stop the drops getting on other people. It’s best to keep those drops to ourselves!’
‘Healthy people wear face masks. Lots of people, like doctors, nurses and teachers, wear face masks to do their jobs. Wearing masks is one way we can help to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.’
People only need to wear them when they leave the house.’

Children learn through play which can be a great way to help children feel more comfortable about face masks. Play can also help children express and explore feelings about face masks.

Here are ideas for play with masks, which you can adapt for your child’s age or developmental stage:

Make up silly songs or rhymes about face masks. Use plenty of actions.
Make up stories about masked characters who are superheroes.
Play a game of peekaboo with your mask. Make funny faces each time you take your mask off.
Give your child a face mask to touch and play with during everyday activities like bath time. For example, your child might like pretending to wash a mask during water play.
Dress up your child’s favourite soft toys in a face mask.
Play a game of ‘schools’ where the ‘teacher’ has to wear a mask. Repeat with students wearing masks.

These ideas can help your child get used to wearing a face mask and feel comfortable with the idea:

Encourage your child to practise wearing a face mask for short periods at home first.
Give your child some choice in their face masks if you can. For example, let your child choose colours, patterns or materials.
Let your child decorate their masks.
Consider features like tie-on masks, mask extenders or ear savers to make masks more comfortable for your child.
If your child is younger, make a game out of it. For example, put your mask on at the same time as your child and make up silly songs or rhymes about wearing them, or pretend you’re masked superheroes.
Help your child with breathing exercises or muscle relaxation activities if they feel a bit anxious when they’re wearing their mask.
Practise putting on and taking off their mask.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT CHILDREN KNOW THAT WE DO NOT SHARE MASKS.

For more details google these links:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide/face-masks-coronavirus-children

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide/wearing-face-masks-tips-to-help-children-teenagers

Follow these links for some fun You Tube clips to share with your children:

Masked Heroes | Cincinnati Children's - YouTube

Why Do People Wear Masks | Little Ones Version | Jack Hartmann - YouTube

The Superhero Mask Song | Helping Kids Wear Masks during Covid | Miss Jessica's World - YouTube

FINALLY, FOR A BIT OF CHEEKY FUN, I FOUND THIS IDEA ON THE WEB:

SO, WHETHER YOUR CHILD IS REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK IN CLASS OR YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO WEAR A MASK, I HOPE THIS HELPS TO EASE THEM INTO THE IDEA!

I am looking forward to welcoming ALL our students back over the next couple of weeks.

So, take care and continue to reach out.

Robyn Mulholland (School Chaplain) robyn.mulholland@education.vic.gov.au)

Remote Learning Grade 5/6