Preparing Children for School

Preparing Children for a Return to In-Person Classes

Wearing a Mask

Wearing face masks/coverings are a part of the daily routine for school. Start by helping your child practice wearing a face mask throughout the day.

Help your child understand that schools, just like businesses and doctor's offices, are requiring face masks to help keep everyone healthy - masks help prevent the wearers from spreading germs to others.
Assure your child that 'mask breaks' will occur frequently throughout the school day.
Model wearing a face mask for your child. Encourage other family members to participate.
Slowly increase the amount of time spent wearing the face mask at home or in public.
Try different activities while wearing the face mask.
Encourage kids to explore in front of a mirror how they look and speak when wearing a face mask.
Practice wearing and removing face masks properly (CDC guidance here).
Reinforce the "no touching" rule of face masks and encourage your child to avoid touching his/her mask.
Ensure your family has more than one mask for each child - pack extras for school in case one becomes wet or soiled.
Empower kids to take control of their face masks by making it part of the daily routine of packing for school.
Review the school's plan for returning to learning regarding face masks/coverings and share this information with your child.

For more, check out the videos below:

Tips for helping your child get used to face masks at school (video) here.
CDC video for middle/high school students here.

Hygiene

Students will notice an increased focus on hygiene practices at school. Talk to your child about the important of hand washing to prevent the spread of germs, and the importance of covering coughs and sneezes.

Help your child understand that one of the best ways to prevent illness is hand washing.
Review and model proper hand washing methods often.
Review and model proper cough/sneeze etiquette often.
Practice hand washing regularly - especially before and after meals, after using the restroom, before wearing/removing masks, coming in from outside, and touching any common surfaces in public.
Help your child understand that hand sanitizers, while effective at killing germs, should not be consistently used in place of soap & water.
Pack a travel sized hand sanitizer bottle for your child when in public places.
Talk with your child about how shared equipment and supplies will be minimized at school this year including the playground, play equipment, and classroom supplies.
Review the school's plan for returning to learning and share this information with your child.

For more, check out the videos below:

Tips from the CDC on handwashing here.
CDC video "Happy Handwashing Song" for kids here.
How germs spread - Explaining the Science to Kids, here.
Talking to kids about cough/sneeze etiquette here.

Social Distancing

Physical distancing is another big change for kids attending school. Talk with your child about how, like masks and hand washing, this practice will help slow the spread of germs.

Practice and model distancing with your child. For younger students it may help to use visuals that represent 3 ft and 6 ft.
Talk with your child about how the setup of his/her classroom may look different - with more space between one another.
Discuss ideas with your child about how to remain connected with his/her friends while practicing distancing.
Review the school's plan regarding physical distancing and share this information with your child.

For more, check out the videos below:

Helping kids understand social distancing practices here.
Talking to teens about social distancing here.

Daily Screening and Responding to Illness

The State has required that all parents/students and staff conduct daily self-screenings prior to boarding school buses and entering school buildings. Talk with your child about the importance of checking for illness everyday - to help keep yourself and others from spreading germs.

Talk with your child about the importance of honestly reporting symptoms of illness.
Assure your child that absences due to illness are excused and will not result in failing. Staying home when sick is very important!
Prepare your child for the possibility of a school staff member taking temperatures and asking a few questions prior to boarding the bus or entering the school.
Talk with your child about what happens when becoming ill at school - waiting rooms are there for you to rest and wait for the arrival of an authorized adult. You won't be alone - a teacher or staff will be in the area with you.
Talk with your child about the necessary steps your family will take before returning to school. This may include visiting his/her doctor.
Review the school's plan regarding screening and responding to illness and share this information with your child.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Talk with your child about how teachers and staff will be wearing additional equipment when caring for sick students. This equipment will make them look like doctors or hospital workers - and is only meant to help minimize the spread of germs.

Talk with your child about how firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, construction workers and many more professions all require safety equipment. This equipment makes the person look different, but is meant to help keep you and them safe.
Search online for pictures of medical workers wearing gowns, face shields, masks, etc. to help acclimate your child to idea that some staff may have to wear this equipment if they or another student becomes sick at school.
Assure your child that the people wearing this equipment are still the same friendly AES staff they are used to seeing!

Talking about the Pandemic

Tips for talking with kids about public health emergencies here.