COVID 19 has created a daily life that is far from normal. Guiding children through this and helping their daily lives to feel normal can seem almost impossible. The Chicago School’s School Psychology professor Dr. James Walsh provides a few tips to support children through this uncommon time.
Q: How do we create normalcy for children during this time?
Dr. Walsh: These times are not going to be normal for most kids. It is helpful to keep family habits and rituals when possible. It helps to have the kids go to sleep and wake up at consistent times, eat meals at regular times, and even build in some new rituals — like going out to wave to the neighbors at a certain time.
Q: If normalcy is impossible, how do we support children during this time?
Dr. Walsh: This is an important question, because keeping “normal” is not always possible. It is important for parents to be forgiving of themselves and of their kids during this time. It helps to…build in some new rituals– like going out to wave to the neighbors at a certain time.
Q: What should our expectations be for children’s learning? How do we support their learning?
Dr. Walsh: The expectations for our kids should be that they try their best. We can support this by trying to set up a clean, tidy place for them to work. If possible, try to find a place for them that is quiet and free of distractions (I know this is often impossible with multiple kids and parents sometimes working from home– again, just do the best you can!)
Q: How do we bring their education home and make sure they’re getting the most from it?
Dr. Walsh: In many cases, teachers are sending parents links to different websites that can provide enrichment for what the kids are learning. These can be helpful to do with kids on weekends or evenings. A parent can also email the teacher and ask, “what do you think would be helpful for my child and I to work on together?”
Q: What is the best way to help them through the grief of an abrupt end to relationships with their schoolmates?
Dr. Walsh: it is helpful during difficult times to take a few minutes each day to talk about what you re grateful for. When we experience loss, it is easy to forget our blessings.
Research also supports the idea that doing things to help others makes us feel better. Calling a friend who is lonely, dropping off food at a food pantry, or dropping off extra toilet paper for a neighbor can make us feel better ourselves!
Kids really do miss their friends! Many keep up with friends on social media, but I also recommend writing cards– kids love making them and receiving them! If you know it is someone’s birthday, for example, you could make a poster and walk or drive past their home and honk your horn and yell “Happy Birthday” to them as this community did in College Station.
Take Away Point:
During this time, it is a great time to tell the kids that they are loved no matter what happens with the pandemic. You can let them know that sometimes people are scared or sad during difficult times, but many people are working very hard to keep us safe.
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