Page 59 - DistanceLearning

In the aftermath of Covid-19, how can social ing and teaching their children at the
and emotional support be provided for stu-
dents, parents and teachers? There is a tremendous
amount of speculation regarding this topic, and an equal amount
of trepidation to be sure. What follows are some perspectives from their own way. The magnitude of such
stakeholders regarding how students, parents and teachers have
been affected, and possible strategies to support such effects. In
an effort to provide social and emotional support as we venture
towards the future, Superintendent Dr. James Pederson and As-
sistant Principal Nicole Ward, partnered up to provide some clarity
and support. They interviewed a small focus group including a va-
riety of stakeholders consisting of both monolingual and bilingual
teachers, school counselors, child study team members, special
education teachers, literacy coaches, principals, assistant princi-
pals, a child psychologist and parents. The team studied patterns
and researched possible strategies to support students, parents
and teachers as they face the post pandemic blues of Covid-19.
Students had to abruptly get used to distance learning platforms,
while facing the fears of what was going on around them in the
world. Many children experienced sick family members or the loss
of family and friends, which could have caused anxiety and possi-
ble depression. The disruption of routine and familiarity may have
caused fear from not knowing what will come of all the confusion.
Depending on the child’s state of mind, it may have been difficult
for the child to process such unfamiliar emotions or to reach out
for help to address these feelings and emotions. In many cases,
there were adults in the household expressing their own fears and
anxieties, which may have caused the children in the home to feel
insecure and scared, no longer feeling safe in their environment.
Being isolated from peers and the absence of socializing could
have an impact on a child’s emotional state, and can often cause a
child to shut down.
Parents were juggling the responsibilities of parenting, working and
supporting their children with distance learning. Parents who are
essential workers were still required to attend work, while their chil-
dren were home. Others had to balance working from home, parent-
59
same time. As parents, it is natural to Being isolated from
peers and the ab-
feel protective and worried when there
is a threat to your families’ health, and sence of socializing
everyone deals with these feelings in could have an im-
pact on a child’s
a threat can make anyone feel like emotional state, and
the world as they have known it may can often cause a
never be the same, but as a parent, child to shut down.
you feel a sense of responsibility to try
to protect your children from realizing such reality.
Teachers had to quickly switch their craft as they had known and
planned, to a completely different system which eliminates in-per-
son interactions. Cues, body language and facial expressions are all
techniques used on a daily basis to check for student understanding
or to engage students in learning. Due to this pandemic, teachers
had to find ways to accomplish these things through a distance
learning system. Many teachers had to engage students in distance
learning, while supporting their own children who were transitioning
to a distance learning platform, as well. Teachers also had a respon-
sibility to check in on their students’ emotional well-being, and to
work with school counselors to provide support for the students who
found themselves falling into an emotionally dark place.
In consideration of the possible effects students may experience
post Covid-19, here are some strategies to support students so-
cially and emotionally as they transition.
• Take breaks from news exposure.
The constant exposure of negative news, or news that makes
you feel anxious and unsafe, will only add to the related stress
you are already experiencing. Make a conscious effort to take
breaks from such news, and give your mind and body a chance
to reboot.
• Communicate with an adult with whom you trust and feel
safe.
It is natural to feel scared and sad when you experience some-
thing that impacts your life and forces you to make changes