Going to school is an important part of your child’s life. Of course, aside from the lessons you teach at home, this gives them the chance to learn different subjects along the way. At the same time, they also get to develop life skills that can benefit them in the future—one of these being the ability to socialize with children their age.
But, with the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re probably worrying about their health and safety, especially since some schools are already planning to reopen. So, you may want to take some time to go over your options carefully, whether you’re willing to send them back to in-person classes or stick with online learning instead. Besides that, you should also keep in mind that other situations may affect your family’s safety as the days pass.
The Pandemic Can Affect Your Child’s Development
It’s been more than a year since the pandemic took the world by surprise. Most of us have learned how to cope with the situation. But, the uncertainty that we face daily continues to affect us one way or another. Of course, even if you’ve somehow adjusted to a new lifestyle at home, you may still find yourself stressing about what the future holds. It’s not just for you but for your loved ones as well.
Even if you don’t notice it that much, the pandemic plays a big role in your child’s development. Since they’re still young and vulnerable, they’d need to feel safe at all times. If they feel threatened in a way, this can affect their ability to learn and explore. This is why you should always stay by their side to assure them that everything will be alright.
Schools Plan to Reopen
At present, your child is probably attending their classes online. But, since vaccines are on the way, many individuals are taking this as a sign that everything will soon return to normal. So, there are now schools planning to reopen for in-person learning.
There Are Still No Viable Vaccines for Children
However, there are some factors that you may want to consider beforehand. As mentioned, the safety of your child should be a priority. And since the vaccines for children are still under clinical trials, their well-being can be at risk.
Also, despite the protection that vaccines can provide, it’s still unknown how long they can last. It can be a year or two, or maybe only a few months. Side effects may come with getting a shot as well. So when the time comes that these become available for children, you’d also need to inform them about it.
Weather Conditions Will Be a Problem
Aside from the pandemic, there are still other things you’d need to look into. Of course, weather conditions are also becoming unpredictable nowadays.
Let’s say you live in Denver, Colorado. During the middle of the year, hail is usually a big problem for many citizens. Even a simple trip to the grocery can lead to problems if you’re not careful. At times, your vehicle may suffer from damages as well, to the point that it’ll need essential dent repairs. Along with that, viruses also tend to linger for a longer period during cold temperatures.
Safety During Face-to-face Classes
But, despite all these risks, there is still some good that may come with deciding to send your kids back to school. Of course, face-to-face classes provide many opportunities for children to develop their social and emotional skills. They’ll get to play and interact with their friends. Activities and exercises get to test their creative thinking as well.
You should ensure that wearing face masks and social distancing remain a part of the protocols. And if you have the time, it’ll also be ideal for visiting the school itself. You can check to see if the area has proper ventilation if they’re following the necessary hygiene practices, and so on.
Make a Choice
The COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of ending anytime soon. Even if vaccines are on the way, they can’t fully guarantee long-term protection. Aside from that, the unpredictability of the weather can also play a big part along the way, especially if you live in areas with cold climates.
But, despite the situation, schools are planning to open their doors once again. So, as a parent, you may be worried about your child’s health and safety. This is why you should take your time in going over your options.
Yes, some risks may come with allowing your child to return to face-to-face classes. But, there are also some lessons and experiences that they won’t learn if they’re always at home.
