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As the school year is beginning, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the type of academic learning that will occur. Whether the students will be going back to school, staying home or a mixture of both, things are not going to be "back to normal." These necessary changes may generate a level of frustration that potentially the parent, child and teacher will experience. It is my view that children will need the opportunity to talk about their feelings and concerns about all of the changes they are experiencing. The special needs child with speech-language delays may have a more difficult time expressing what they are feeling and may need some prompting from their parents/caregivers to share their thoughts. Below are suggestions that parents might employ to create a safe environment for children to express how they are coping with the unpredictability in their lives.
For additional information about the upcoming school-year and the role parents and caregivers can play, click the link following:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/parent-checklist.html
For more information regarding Parent-Child interaction, specifically designed for children from birth to three years of age, please Click Here to review Lullabelle & Friends' Parent Guide: Enhancing Your Child's Speech-Language Development From Birth to Three Years and Beyond...
As the school year is beginning, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the type of academic learning that will occur. Whether the students will be going back to school, staying home or a mixture of both, things are not going to be "back to normal." These necessary changes may generate a level of frustration that potentially the parent, child and teacher will experience. It is my view that children will need the opportunity to talk about their feelings and concerns about all of the changes they are experiencing. The special needs child with speech-language delays may have a more difficult time expressing what they are feeling and may need some prompting from their parents/caregivers to share their thoughts. Below are suggestions that parents might employ to create a safe environment for children to express how they are coping with the unpredictability in their lives.
- Describe to your children how you are feeling about the changes. If they are not going back to in-school learning, talk to them about the fact that perhaps you are disappointed that they won't get to see their friends. If they are going back, you may discuss the strong need for them stay safe by wearing their masks, and washing their hands regularly. Let them know that the teacher and school will work hard to keep them safe. If they feel a little nervous about going back into the classroom, create an environment to encourage them to freely express their reservations.
- You may want to check in with them daily or a few times during the week to discuss how they are feeling. I would suggest not doing this during high stressed times, but during a time when the family is relaxed so that the setting lends itself to the child opening up about his/her thoughts. Give the child time to think of what they want to say. You may ask leading questions such as, "How are feeling about not seeing your friends?' "What is it like being in your classroom?" "What do you think about the changes you see?"
- For the child who has difficulty expressing his thoughts, encourage him to draw a picture and talk about it.
- Carve out some "fun" time with your child that is not related to school work or Covid. For example, have a dance or sing-a-thon. Play a game of Simon Says. Complete a puzzle or play a fun board game. Play a game of charades, etc.
For additional information about the upcoming school-year and the role parents and caregivers can play, click the link following:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/parent-checklist.html
For more information regarding Parent-Child interaction, specifically designed for children from birth to three years of age, please Click Here to review Lullabelle & Friends' Parent Guide: Enhancing Your Child's Speech-Language Development From Birth to Three Years and Beyond...
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