From the Principal
Linda Jones
COVID-19 LOCKDOWN 2.0 – TIP SHEET
With the continuation of COVID-19, we know that people may be feeling fatigued and exhausted as they adapt to frequent changes. Here at Carnegie, we thank you for working together over recent days to support your child/children through home learning and these unsettling times. From previous experience we know that the days pass, the sun shines and hopefully before too long we will have more and more freedoms given back to us.
Below is a list of some resources that we feel may be helpful. These ideas have been shared with us by ‘Minds That Matter’, a company we have a partnership with.
TIPS
- Look after relationships – social connectedness has been shown to reduce stress
- Create a ‘new normal’ – children benefit from routine, structure and predictability. Create new routines around wake/sleep times, learning, exercise and fun.
- Let your child know that it is ok to feel sad, worried, scared or bored! Allow your child to talk about their feelings and validate them. Avoid excessive reassurance or rushing to problem solving.
- Set up short- and long-term projects- this will help motivate children and bring meaning back to their day, such as:
- Planting a garden such as a ‘pizza’ garden (i.e. tomato, basil etc.) and look forward to making pizza once all the ingredients have grown
- Learn a new skill – playing an instrument, knitting, playing chess etc
- Paint a mural
- Plan a dinner party and have each member of the family take responsibility for one aspect of dinner such as invitations, food, decorations, music etc.
- Read a series such as The Hunger Games or Harry Potter
- Take pleasure in celebrating social connectedness with friends and family, such as
- Party and movie – have each child order from the same restaurant and watch the same movie whilst on social media
- Organise a dress up party and have each child decorate their room
- Have a ‘virtual’ sleep over with kids camping in the lounge room
PARENTAL WELL BEING DURING COVID
COVID-19 has not only placed a strain on children, it has also led to a number of challenges for parents and caregivers. Many parents are juggling remote learning with work and financial pressures, reduced access to home-based health services and physical isolation from family/friends – all of which has placed a huge strain on parents.
Often parents report that they put their children’s needs first and will only take the time to look after themselves when everyone else is “ok”… not surprisingly, this time rarely, if ever, arrives! Research unequivocally shows us that good parental mental health is associated with better child health – when you look after yourself, you are also doing a better job looking after your children. Be sure to look after yourself and engage in self-care activities.
PODCASTS FROM THE MURDOCH CHILDREN’S RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Parenting in the Age of Coronavirus: A series of 6 podcasts:
- How does COIVD-19 Impact kids
- How Primary schoolers can safely transition back to school
- How secondary schoolers can safe transition back to school
- How to maintain wellbeing in primary schoolers
- How to maintain wellbeing in secondary schoolers
- How to maintain wellbeing in preschoolers