Wellbeing

Preparing ourselves and our children for learning back onsite

Encourage your child to be positive and excited 

It is understandable that children will be reluctant to return to school and a little nervous. These feelings need to be listened to and validated however, as parents it is our job to help our children to move through these feelings and focus on the positives. 

Explain to your child it is ok to be nervous and worried and that this is normal, but then help them find positives to look forward to.

Sentences such as ‘I will miss you too’ and ‘I don’t want you to go to school either’ are not helpful in setting your child up to enter school with a positive frame of mind which is our job as parents. 

Instead try comments such as:

‘It’s your job to go to school’ or ‘I know you are nervous but there are going to be good things in your day.’

*Try and limit conversations about the current situation about COVID in front of your child. It could add unnecessary worry for them.

Sleep routine

Now is the time to start adjusting your child’s bedtime back to a sensible time for during school time. Probably many of us have got into the habit of going to bed later and then sleeping in a bit longer in the morning. 

Start moving your child’s bedtime closer to 7 or 7.30pm so that by the time they are back onsite full time they are back to a sensible bedtime. 

Being up in time in the morning will help your child be at school on time each day. This is important because it allows them time to settle into the classroom and be part of the morning routine before learning starts. 

Focus on the positives from the day

Greet your child in a bright and happy way. Give them your full attention at school pick up and ask them about their day. Some children will want to chat straight away, others may need a bit of time to wind down. Children may need to share some frustrations from their day and it is very important we listen to them and sympathise. As adults it is important that we teach our children look for positives. Encourage your child to share some happy moments you can do this by asking questions such as

What was the best thing that happened today?

What made you smile?

Did you read a good book today?

Sleeping trouble 

Children might have a little bit of trouble sleeping as they transfer back to onsite learning. This is because being at school requires lots of concentration and focus. They are negotiating learning as well as social interactions. If this occurs make sure you give them time to wind down before bedtime. Give them a bath, some reading time, use a smiling mind ap or some relaxing music.

Communication with school 

To assist your child have a confident and successful return to onsite learning please remember that you can message 

Your child’s classroom teacher 

or Rikki Winduss (Wellbeing leader) 

rwinduss@saseaford.catholic.edu.au

or Sally Thomas (Diversity leader) 

sthomas@saseaford.catholic.edu.au

and we will help you put some things in place to assist your child. 

We look forward to having the children all back onsite.

Rikki Winduss

Wellbeing Leader