Lightbridge Academy

Parents and children across the country are understandably experiencing quarantine fatigue. They’ve been cooped up at home and isolated from friends and even extended family members. Many parents who are balancing the professional responsibilities of working from home with the round-the-clock coordination of their children’s education, meals and recreation are eager to return to a more “normal” schedule and can’t wait to return back to their child care center.&nbsp;While many parents and children are eager to get back to normal as soon as possible, the truth is that returning to school may look different. Administrators will need to follow enhanced health and safety protocols, practices and recommended guidelines from the local Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This can often impact your child’s experience.&nbsp;Fortunately, there are several ways to help ensure a smooth transition for both children and parents. Here are a few tips to navigate this new chapter.&nbsp;Review the changes being madeLightbridge Academy created a video directed to children returning to the center and other materials for parents to review the changes they can expect moving forward. For one, students may be dropped off at the entrance and escorted to their classroom by their teachers instead of their parents. It is comforting for a parent to explain this in advance so the child is not caught off-guard and knows what to expect in advance. Reassuring them that it’s a positive change and using phrases like “You get to go in like a big boy!”&nbsp;Depending on the current regulations, children may require temperature checks upon arrival to ensure they are fever-free.&nbsp; Reassuring them with phrases like “All our friends are practicing healthy habits just like you!” Also, if your child is used to bringing a special soft toy, you may need to find a place in the car for it to “wait” for them as they may not be able to bring it to school with them, in order to inhibit the spread of germs.&nbsp;Of course, masks have been a widely discussed topic and it may or may not be required in your child care center depending on where you live and the prevailing regulations. Mask can potentially cause concern for children who haven’t really ventured out much over the past few months. They will see parents, teachers and administrators wearing masks during pick-up/drop-off. If it is required or preferred for your child to wear a mask consider finding a cute design as it can go a long way to making it less intimidating and more fun.Explain to your children that these masks are to help keep everybody safe and why it is important not to touch or play with it. Making sure they see you with the mask on prior to drop off will help them feel comfortable and adjust faster.Prepare for separation anxietyIt may seem like everyone is eager for more freedom, but children may still experience separation anxiety when their schedules are changed or if they feel uncertain about what to expect. If returning into child care, infants and toddlers may not remember some of their caregivers and might be nervous as they get reacquainted. Three-year-olds and four-year-olds are more likely to remember their teachers and classmates, depending on the amount of time that has transpired since they last saw them. Either way, talk to your child about going back to child care. Show them pictures or videos from their class, and talk about seeing their friends. Ask them how they feel about it, and even encourage them to draw you pictures that portray their feelings. This will help them process their feelings and prevent being surprised.&nbsp;Be confident and reassuring&nbsp;As parents, we don’t always realize that our children might be absorbing any anxiety we ourselves might be feeling. Just watching the news can make us anxious, and our children can easily feed off of this emotion. Plus, little ones often take things quite literally. They might hear a parent say “I lost my job” and reply with “I’ll help you find it!” It’s our responsibility as parents to reassure our children as best as we can about what’s going on around them and what they should say and do - and maybe shouldn’t say or do - in certain situations.&nbsp;Confirm that you’ll miss themLet’s just admit it: This has been a stressful time. Many parents have lost their jobs. Those with jobs have had to to juggle their work responsibilities along with caring for their child and educational activities. The days have been long and patience in short supply.&nbsp;That being said, there have been bright spots over the past few months. No commuting has provided major quality time with your kids that you otherwise would not have enjoyed. True, there may have been tears and fights and fatigue over educational activities and diaper changes, but there were also lots of cuddles, movie nights and games. Your kids have literally been growing up in front of your eyes.&nbsp;To this end, talk to your kids about how much you’ve loved spending so much time together. Let them know how much you’ll miss them. Give them a family photo they can keep in their cubby. Show them all the photos you have of them on your phone and assure them you’ll look at the photos throughout the day. Above all, remind your child that you’ll see them very soon and will pick them up at the end of the day.&nbsp;Get excited!&nbsp;Don’t forget to focus on the positives: It’s back-to-school time! Yes, everyone might need to get their temperatures checked and may have to follow new procedures, but it’s still an exciting start to a new school year. Parents can receive the support they need and children can get back into a routine and advance on their educational journey. Having fun with their friends and even making some new ones. They can play and run and shout in a safe and fun environment that’s designed especially for them. Above all, everyone will have a chance to miss each other again.&nbsp;Transitioning back to work and child care is going to be exactly that, a transition, but by respecting the new protocols that need to be followed, talking through feelings and, above all, showing excitement for the return to friends and teachers, parents can help ensure that children have a great back-to-school experience.&nbsp;

Tips for Transitioning Back to Child Care 

1851 Franchise

Lightbridge Academy President and COO Gigi Schweikert provides tips for parents as they support children transitioning from home back to school. 


This brand page has been paid for by LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Tips for Transitioning Back to Child Care

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