I just wrote a blog for www.mysteinbach.ca about getting your kids COVID ready for school. You can read here.
In addition to those suggestions, our foster kids need a bit of extra help. Here are three more suggestions to keep in mind when you are getting a child from a hard place ready for school this year.
They Need Additional Preparation
Kids from hard places are hard-wired for survival. Under normal circumstances they can react to new situations and stress in ways that don’t seem to make sense.
That’s normal.
There’s nothing normal about our world these days and that means you need to prepare your foster child especially well for school. Here is what I suggest:
- Talk to their teacher ahead of time of what how the classroom will be set up for social distancing. That should include how they will walk down the halls, gym, and recess.
- Find out the class schedule and talk it through with them.
- Talk about masks and what it will feel like to wear one.
- Talk to them about giving people space, especially with social distancing.
- Ask them if they are worried about anything.
(Can you think of more suggestions? Add them in the comments below.)
Think Through Sensory Processing
There are few things that have changed our parenting strategies more than understanding sensory processing. Kids from hard places tend to either seek sensory input or avoid sensory input.
So for example, some kids might actually like wearing a mask, and others will be extremely bothered by it to the point of acting out. It’s not just about having something tight on their face, I’ve noticed that I can smell my breath when I wear a mask and that might be very bothersome to some kids. Other’s might be bothered by how warm it feels.
Make sure you consider your child’s particular aversions as you think through what the year will look like.
Consider Homeschooling
Normally agencies don’t like or allow homeschooling for foster kids, but this year things are just so strange that teaching your child at home might be the most effective way for them to learn.
I would strongly suggest that you speak with your social worker about options as well as their teacher to see if any distance learning is possible or being planned.
Don’t forget to check out my other suggestions at www.mysteinbach.ca!
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Thom Van Dycke
Speaker, Writer, Husband, Dad
Tara and I were married in 2001 and have a house full of kids (and a few that have outgrown the house!) We became foster parents in 2011 and since then have welcomed 30 children into our home. Currently, we have 8 kids ranging from newborn to 24-years old (we even have a son-in-law!). My heart beats for kids from hard places and I was trained as a TBRI Practitioner in 2017.
Comments
For masks, the traditional mask isn’t super comfortable but we found that the ones that look like a tube/neck warmer are super comfy and my boys love them. That can be worn around the neck or as a headband when they aren’t required to have them over their faces. We are practicing social distancing and mask wearing by making quick trips into the mall. Just long enough to buy one back to school item. Not long enough for anyone to get too frustrated or rangy.
THIS is a GREAT idea! I just got a buff as well and can see how it would work so well for a foster child. I mean in addition to the mask requirements, they will get proprioceptive input from the material! What a great solution!