We are navigating uncharted waters now.
Never have I witnessed such a state of engagement in a global affair, that is also personal and intense at the same time, and that has brought the entire world together with one goal, against one enemy - the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
What do we tell our young children? They cannot escape hearing about these things, with so much talk on the news, between family, Social Distancing, and then the closures, and the strategies, the intense need for handwashing and attention to coughing, sniffles, and illness. Children need not be traumatized. Let children know what they need to know, that people have been getting sick and we need to make sure we don't share the germs. Focus on making sure we all wash our hands, stay away from others and follow the personal care rules that protect us and each other. These actions are for everyone. We protect ourselves by following the strategies and expecting everyone to do the same.
When children are disappointed by closures and delays, take it in stride. Our children have to learn to accept and deal with disappointment. There will be plenty to deal with in our lives. Remind them that disappointment is just that. We are not angry or depressed by these things, we are sad/ annoyed/ and seeking understanding so that we can let it go, and focus on a new goal. Closures mean more family time. Parents can make an effort to encourage imaginative play, interactive play with family and close friends. There is a sense of the 'world standing still', as we wait for this pandemic to pass. But on the positive side, maybe we can live our lives a little less hurried, with more focus on the basic building blocks of life, and relationships. Think about doing something there usually isn't enough time to do. Imagine time spent enjoying walks, talks and laughing.
Let your children know that their school is being cleaned and freshened up to be ready for when it is time to come back to school. I feel it best to avoid using the term safe as it suggests that the alternative, school or shopping or going to a show is unsafe.
Focus on positive messages, be reassuring. The children are young and have limited experience. They don't need to know how unique this event is for us. It will be much more reassuring to be given the understanding that some people are getting sick and we need to do extra cleaning, and not share germs to make sure that we all stay healthy. Social Distancing has proven itself to be the key to containing the enemy. Believe in that, and practice it. Let the children feel that we know what to do and we all need to do our part to take care of the problem. We will get to go to school and swimming and do what we want in time, but for now, we get extra family time. And isn't that nice?
As adults;
Only days ago, the idea that countries would unilaterally close their borders, that Canada and many other nations of the world would shut down their schools, their recreational centres, their churches, their sporting and entertainment events, their libraries, and almost everything that does not represent essential services, seemed unimaginable. But today, this is the rule and the move is expanding day by day. Our centre is closed for at least 3 weeks, in a precautionary move to help reduce the spread of the virus, and to reduce opportunities for people to be exposed, unknowingly to illness. These are the actions of a global community working together to battle a faceless but powerful enemy. Our government is certain that the collective strength of co-operating and collaborating against the virus, is the key to success in the most timely way possible. These are collaborations many would never have thought possible or likely, but here it is. Should to shoulder, I believe the people will prevail.
If the nations of the world can accomplish this, indeed, we can make great strides in our classrooms and in our homes. With just a little genuine effort, employing good modeling and clear expectations, toward opening our minds and hearts in problem-solving skills and thinking beyond what's been done, we can seek boundless options for best results in any situation. May we learn that we can handle disappointments and disruptions in our lives, and help teach our little ones that these things will pass, and we will get back to our usual lives. For those people who must shoulder illness, financial stress and scheduling chaos, your experience will be valued by your community, and respected by your peers, and will offer you an opportunity to rise to the occasion, to build coping skills, and to find resolutions you did not think possible. Somehow, these things work out, whether with tears or with support or by simply surviving the time, you may certainly accept your lot with pride. Let's endeavour to come out of this, not unchanged, but better. While we can be sure that it will all take effort and reflection and may get messy, we can all agree, it won't be easy, but it will be worthwhile.
Hmmm - some say there is always a silver lining. "We should never overlook it."
Arlene Feeney RECE
Never have I witnessed such a state of engagement in a global affair, that is also personal and intense at the same time, and that has brought the entire world together with one goal, against one enemy - the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
What do we tell our young children? They cannot escape hearing about these things, with so much talk on the news, between family, Social Distancing, and then the closures, and the strategies, the intense need for handwashing and attention to coughing, sniffles, and illness. Children need not be traumatized. Let children know what they need to know, that people have been getting sick and we need to make sure we don't share the germs. Focus on making sure we all wash our hands, stay away from others and follow the personal care rules that protect us and each other. These actions are for everyone. We protect ourselves by following the strategies and expecting everyone to do the same.
When children are disappointed by closures and delays, take it in stride. Our children have to learn to accept and deal with disappointment. There will be plenty to deal with in our lives. Remind them that disappointment is just that. We are not angry or depressed by these things, we are sad/ annoyed/ and seeking understanding so that we can let it go, and focus on a new goal. Closures mean more family time. Parents can make an effort to encourage imaginative play, interactive play with family and close friends. There is a sense of the 'world standing still', as we wait for this pandemic to pass. But on the positive side, maybe we can live our lives a little less hurried, with more focus on the basic building blocks of life, and relationships. Think about doing something there usually isn't enough time to do. Imagine time spent enjoying walks, talks and laughing.
Let your children know that their school is being cleaned and freshened up to be ready for when it is time to come back to school. I feel it best to avoid using the term safe as it suggests that the alternative, school or shopping or going to a show is unsafe.
Focus on positive messages, be reassuring. The children are young and have limited experience. They don't need to know how unique this event is for us. It will be much more reassuring to be given the understanding that some people are getting sick and we need to do extra cleaning, and not share germs to make sure that we all stay healthy. Social Distancing has proven itself to be the key to containing the enemy. Believe in that, and practice it. Let the children feel that we know what to do and we all need to do our part to take care of the problem. We will get to go to school and swimming and do what we want in time, but for now, we get extra family time. And isn't that nice?
As adults;
Only days ago, the idea that countries would unilaterally close their borders, that Canada and many other nations of the world would shut down their schools, their recreational centres, their churches, their sporting and entertainment events, their libraries, and almost everything that does not represent essential services, seemed unimaginable. But today, this is the rule and the move is expanding day by day. Our centre is closed for at least 3 weeks, in a precautionary move to help reduce the spread of the virus, and to reduce opportunities for people to be exposed, unknowingly to illness. These are the actions of a global community working together to battle a faceless but powerful enemy. Our government is certain that the collective strength of co-operating and collaborating against the virus, is the key to success in the most timely way possible. These are collaborations many would never have thought possible or likely, but here it is. Should to shoulder, I believe the people will prevail.
If the nations of the world can accomplish this, indeed, we can make great strides in our classrooms and in our homes. With just a little genuine effort, employing good modeling and clear expectations, toward opening our minds and hearts in problem-solving skills and thinking beyond what's been done, we can seek boundless options for best results in any situation. May we learn that we can handle disappointments and disruptions in our lives, and help teach our little ones that these things will pass, and we will get back to our usual lives. For those people who must shoulder illness, financial stress and scheduling chaos, your experience will be valued by your community, and respected by your peers, and will offer you an opportunity to rise to the occasion, to build coping skills, and to find resolutions you did not think possible. Somehow, these things work out, whether with tears or with support or by simply surviving the time, you may certainly accept your lot with pride. Let's endeavour to come out of this, not unchanged, but better. While we can be sure that it will all take effort and reflection and may get messy, we can all agree, it won't be easy, but it will be worthwhile.
Hmmm - some say there is always a silver lining. "We should never overlook it."
Arlene Feeney RECE
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