Your questions answered: how to keep children learning through COVID-19

Every single day of school counts. This year, school closures due to COVID-19 have impacted the learning of 247 million children in India and stopped another 28 million from attending their anganwadi centre. As schools across the country start to reopen, many parents and caregivers have important questions about their child’s safety and mental health. 
 

Here’s the latest information on what to expect and how you can support the children in your life. Read on for advice about heading back to class.

What questions should I be asking my child’s teacher or school administration? 

Going back to school will likely look a little different from what you and your child were used to before. It’s possible that schools may reopen for a period of time and then a decision may be made to close them again temporarily, depending on what’s happening in your community. During such a worrying and disruptive time, it’s natural to have a lot of questions.  

Some helpful ones you may want to ask include: 

• What steps has the school taken to help ensure the safety of students? 

• How will the school support the mental health of students and combat any stigma against people who have been sick? 

• How will the school refer children who may need referrals for specialized support? 

• Will any of the school’s safeguarding and bullying policies change once schools start to re-open? 

• How can I support school safety efforts, including through parent-teacher committees or other networks. 

What should I do if my child has fallen behind?

Students across India have shown just how much they want to keep learning. They have persisted with their lessons under difficult circumstances, with the support of their dedicated teachers and parents.

But many children will need extra support to catch up on their learning when schools reopen.

Many schools are making plans for catch-up lessons to help bring students back up to speed. This might include starting the year with refresher or remedial courses, after-school programmes or supplemental assignments to be done at home. Given the possibility that many schools may not open full time or for all grades, schools may implement  a mix of classroom instruction and self-study through take home exercises, radio, TV or online learning.

Give extra support to your child at home by creating a routine around school and schoolwork. This can help if they are feeling restless and having trouble focusing.

You may want to contact your child’s teacher or school to ask questions and stay informed. Be sure to let them know if your child is facing specific challenges, like grief over a family loss or heightened anxiety due to the pandemic.

What should I do if my child is struggling to get back into “school mode?”

Remember that your child will be dealing with the stress of the ongoing crisis differently from you. Create a supportive and nurturing environment and respond positively to questions and expressions of their feelings. Show support and let your child know that it’s not only okay, but normal, to feel frustrated or anxious at times like this.

Help your children to stick to their routines and make learning playful by incorporating it into everyday activities like cooking, family reading time or games. Another option could be joining a parent or community group to connect with other parents who are going through the same experience to share tips and get support.
 

My child is scared to go back to school. How can I help them feel at ease?

Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. You can make them feel at ease by having an open conversation about what it is that’s worrying them and letting him know that it’s natural to feel anxious.

Children may feel nervous or reluctant to return to school, especially if they have been learning at home for months. Be honest – for example you could go through some of the changes they may expect at school, such as needing to wear forms of protective clothing like masks. Children may also find it difficult being physically distanced from friends and teachers while at school – you could encourage them to think about other ways to bond and stay connected.

Reassure children about safety measures in place to help keep students and teachers healthy and remind children that they can also help prevent germs spreading by washing their hands with soap and coughing or sneezing into their elbow.

As children often take their emotional cues from the key adults in their lives – including parents and teachers – it is also important that adults manage their own emotions well and remain calm, listen to children’s concerns, speak kindly and reassure them.

My child’s school is recommending the wearing of protective clothing, which is making my child feel more nervous. What should I say to them?

Approach this conversation with empathy, saying that you know they are feeling anxious about coronavirus, but that it’s healthy to talk about our worries and emotions. Children may also get upset or frustrated if they are finding it hard to wear masks, especially when running or playing. You can reassure your children that lots of adults are working hard to help keep your family safe, but emphasize that it's important we all follow the recommended measures to take care of more vulnerable members of our community. 

How can I support my child to keep learning from home?

The government has engaged many channels to help children learn from home, like web portals, mobile apps, TV and radio, as well as on-going efforts to provide textbooks to children’s homes.

For the parents and families facilitating this learning, here are some tips from UNICEF’s Global Chief of Education on how keep education on track from home:

Encourage your children to ask questions and express their feelings with you. Remember that your child may have different reactions to stress, so be patient and understanding. Start by inviting your child to talk about the issue. Find out how much they already know and follow their lead. Discuss good hygiene practices. You can use everyday moments to reinforce the importance of things like regular and thorough handwashing. Make sure you are in a safe environment and allow your child to talk freely. Drawing, stories and other activities may help to open a discussion.

Try not to minimize or avoid their concerns. Be sure to acknowledge their feelings and assure them that it’s natural to feel scared about these things. Demonstrate that you’re listening by giving them your full attention, and make sure they understand that they can talk to you and their teachers whenever they like. Warn them about fake news and encourage them – and remind yourselves – to use trusted sources of information such as UNICEF, WHO and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidance.

Start with shorter learning sessions and make them progressively longer. If the goal is to have a 30- or 45-minute session, start with 10 minutes and build up from there. Within a session, combine online or screen time with offline activities or exercises.

Digital platforms provide an opportunity for children to keep learning, take part in play and keep in touch with their friends. But increased access online brings heightened risks for children’s safety, protection and privacy. Discuss the internet with your children so that they know how it works, what they need to be aware of, and what appropriate behavior looks like on the platforms they use, such as video calls.

Establish rules together about how, when and where the internet can be used. Set up parental controls on their devices to mitigate online risks, particularly for younger children. Identify appropriate online tools for recreation together - organizations like Common Sense Media offer advice for age-appropriate apps, games and other online entertainment. In case of cyberbullying or an incident of inappropriate content online, be familiar with school and other local reporting mechanisms, keeping numbers of support helplines and hotlines handy.

Don’t forget that there’s no need for children or young people to share pictures of themselves or other personal information to access digital learning.

Find out how to stay in touch with your children’s teacher or school to stay informed, ask questions and get more guidance. Parent groups or community groups can also be a good way to support each other with your home schooling.
 

Tips for supporting children to learn from home

1. Plan a routine together
   
   Try to establish a routine that factors in age-appropriate education programmes that can be followed online, on the television or through the radio. Also, factor in play time and time for reading. Use everyday activities as learning opportunities for your children. And don’t forget to come up with these plans together where possible. Although establishing a routine and structure is critically important for children and young people, in these times you may notice your children need some level of flexibility. Switch up your activities. If your child is seeming restless and agitated when you’re trying to follow an online learning programme with them, flip to a more active option. Do not forget that planning and doing house chores together safely is great for development of fine and gross motor functions. Try and stay as attuned to their needs as possible.
    
2. Have open conversations
   
   Encourage your children to ask questions and express their feelings with you. Remember that your child may have different reactions to stress, so be patient and understanding. Start by inviting your child to talk about the issue. Find out how much they already know and follow their lead. Discuss good hygiene practices. You can use everyday moments to reinforce the importance of things like regular and thorough handwashing. Make sure you are in a safe environment and allow your child to talk freely. Drawing, stories and other activities may help to open a discussion.
   
   Try not to minimize or avoid their concerns. Be sure to acknowledge their feelings and assure them that it’s natural to feel scared about these things. Demonstrate that you’re listening by giving them your full attention, and make sure they understand that they can talk to you and their teachers whenever they like. Warn them about fake news and encourage them – and remind yourselves – to use trusted sources of information such as UNICEF, WHO and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidance.
    
3. Take your time
   
   Start with shorter learning sessions and make them progressively longer. If the goal is to have a 30- or 45-minute session, start with 10 minutes and build up from there. Within a session, combine online or screen time with offline activities or exercises.

4. Protect children online
   
   Digital platforms provide an opportunity for children to keep learning, take part in play and keep in touch with their friends. But increased access online brings heightened risks for children’s safety, protection and privacy. Discuss the internet with your children so that they know how it works, what they need to be aware of, and what appropriate behavior looks like on the platforms they use, such as video calls.
   
   Establish rules together about how, when and where the internet can be used. Set up parental controls on their devices to mitigate online risks, particularly for younger children. Identify appropriate online tools for recreation together - organizations like Common Sense Media offer advice for age-appropriate apps, games and other online entertainment. In case of cyberbullying or an incident of inappropriate content online, be familiar with school and other local reporting mechanisms, keeping numbers of support helplines and hotlines handy.
   
   Don’t forget that there’s no need for children or young people to share pictures of themselves or other personal information to access digital learning.

5. Stay in touch with your children’s education facility
   
   Find out how to stay in touch with your children’s teacher or school to stay informed, ask questions and get more guidance. Parent groups or community groups can also be a good way to support each other with your home schooling.

In their words: hear what teachers and students have to say about learning in lockdown