The Big Questions For Parents with Preschoolers in Post-Covid World
Like many parents around the country, I’m starting to think about what school will look like in the fall. This year my daughter did a part time preschool program and in the fall she is enrolled to start full time at the same private preschool. Now that the world looks so different, we have to decide if we want to stick to this plan (we’re required to recommit by end of June) or come up with something new.
I’m finding it extremely overwhelming to think about the fall, let alone commit to anything so early because everything is evolving so quickly, rules and guidelines are in constant flux and information isn’t always as clear and direct as I’d prefer when it comes to the health and education of my kid. So here is what I do know: School everywhere is going to look different. The CDC released guidelines (which were themselves pared back from initial guidelines) surrounding sanitation practices, adjusted school pick up and drop off policies, routine hand washing, snacks, meals and pretty much everything else. These things are not in my control and I’m sure the guidelines will change multiple times in the near future as we learn more about the coronavirus and how it ultimately affects children. But there are other decisions each school will make, so that’s where I’m focusing my energy.
So after reading fourteen bajillion online articles and talking in depth with my amazing mother-in-law who spent her life in the education system, here are a few of the many questions our family is using make our ultimate decision. Hopefully something in here is helpful for you as you navigate similar issues with your little ones!
What to think about when considering preschool in a post-covid world:
What will the school environment look like in the fall and what changes will be made to accommodate for the COVID-19 concerns?
Since play is the heart of learning in preschool, how will play opportunities be modified/changed?
What will play at each area in the classroom look like? What will outdoor play look like?
What will the daily schedule of activities/learning opportunities look like?
Will one child at a time be in reading areas or in the block/building area?
Will children be encouraged to play individually or with friends? If with friends, what will that look like?
What types of play will be part of the daily schedule? What types of modifications will be made to outdoor play time?
Will children be encouraged to play alone?
How will equipment, toys and tools be used to implement curriculum and to extend learning?
Will additional time be spent outdoors?
What will interactions between teachers and children look like? And what will it look like when it’s between multiple kids? Will holding hands, touching, sitting near each other be changed by social distancing guidelines?
How will social distancing be encouraged without being the focus of over-teaching/repetition/adult input disrupting activities? (as with all of the procedures - washing hands, etc could become the focus rather than learning…)
What will transition periods looks like? Will parents be allowed to accompany children who are having a hard time adjusting?
What considerations will be made to personalize these times and not make them simply part of the procedural changes?
Seeing as school is different now, what will be discussed with the children about it and how will these discussions be shared with parents?
Safety is the main responsibility of any school environment. What besides cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting will be done to assure and reassure children’s families that everything is being done to create the safest environment possible?
What are the expectations in terms of parents at the school informing the school and school community about testing, travel plans, potential exposure, etc… and who will this information be communicated out and discussed with parents?
With changes daily to the information and the requirements for everyone, how will those changes be addressed, implemented and communicated?
If you have any additional questions you think parents should consider, please leave them below in the comments.
