Finally, children will be returning to school in Nigeria after a 6-month lockdown.
The world, and in particular, Nigerian parents of this century and indeed a great part of the last century have never seen or experienced anything like #COVID19.
The impact is still playing out in every part of the world. For children, fun turned to boredom, then rebellion and then withdrawal and finally, acceptance of the situation. Generally, the experience for families are as varied as family structures are.
Sadly and certainly happily for some, holiday is over ! Parents, teachers, and pupils need to ‘reformat’ their mindset.
Auntie Hetty and friends have deliberated on a few things that parents should know to effortlessly get us back to what is left of our old routine:
Re-rientation –
Announce to the children that the long holidays are over. They need to be reminded that their future depends on their education and how seriously they take it.
Class work and homework must be treated seriously. Most schools will operate at less than half the normal school hours so certainly, there is no time to waste.
Every child, irrespective of age must be reminded to consider himself privileged to still be able to return to school as some parents have either lost their jobs, not been paid for months, on half salaries or lost their lives to covid19, an orientation is inevitable.
Rehearsals:
Classes reopen next week so parents need to spend the rest of this week rehearsing with children their daily school-day schedules especially the young ones. This will ease the shock of resumption which in some cases, may affect their health.
Some children may even protest, rebel or go into depression if you do not gradually pull them back to normal routines.
If they got used to waking up by 10:00am, do a staggered rehearsal by making them wake up by 9:00am, then 8:00am, and finally 6:00am or even 5:00.
The eating habits have been adversely affected. Parents should gradually take out binge eating habits and implement the old structured pattern.
Goal setting and responsibility:
Have each child write his goals, review the goals with them and stress the need for each child to take responsibility for his set goals. On a daily basis, re-evaluate the goals vis-vis achievement and guide them through actually achieving them.
Endeavor to avoid judging them, just coach them as their biological parent, caregiver and natural teacher.
School supplies and school uniforms:
It is time to dust their school bags, check their lunch boxes and books/stationaries.
Some children may have outgrown their school shoes and uniforms. It is expected after 6 months. Spend the weekend shopping for replacements. Africa’s biggest virtual mall, the Women’s Online Mall has verified and credible vendors at your service with official logistics providers to deliver the items to your homes.
All the vendors went through a verification process. However, as with all online purchases, ensure you do your due diligence. Hetty and team should actually cut an invoice for this advert !
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Whatapp:
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Tips to parents:
Jobs are getting lost on a daily basis. business are struggling. It is no longer business as usual. Tomorrow is no longer certain. Children must know this. It is our job to tell them to cut down on frivolous demands.
Create time to listen to them when they return from school and want to talk. Never be too busy to hear them out. You may be saving them from troubles and emotional stress.
Talk actively with them, offer solutions without judging anyone.
Covid19 protocols:
Advise our children that:
- Social distancing must be adhered to in school
- Facemarks worn at all times
- No hugging
- Avoid sick friends but report to school nurse
- No football until a vaccine is found
- No sharing of food, water bottles, cutlery, clothes, facemarks or seats.
Read also:
“Lagos Schools to Re-open in September,” Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu