Going back to school this year has given parents a lot to process. Weโve been following updates of daily counts of coronavirus, listening to health officials and politicians sound off on best policy-making, dealing with new work regulations.
Now weโve had to decide what to do about our children going back to school or not. While you have been overwhelmed by these problems and feelings, what about your children? How do they feel?
Even while choosing what we hope is best for our children, itโs easy to overlook talking to them about what they are feeling..
Here is what some of the AboutIslam children are feeling about going back to school online and on campus during this era of Covid-19.
Back to Campus
โIโm very happy to go back to school. It has been a while since I stopped going there because of the coronavirus. I miss all of my friends, teachers, and captains, where I used to have fun with them. I am so happy to go back to school and super ready to study.
โIt has been a hard time since the coronavirus appeared. As I return to school, I will be very careful and keen on observing all precautions to maintain my safety and my friends too. Iโm all hopeful that this new school year will be great and that the coronavirus will end to let us to go out and have fun as usual.โ โ Joud Mohamed, 9, Egypt
โI feel happy and excited to see my friends. I want to see who my new teacher is. I am a little bit nervous in case no one remembers me because I only joined the school in January and then we had to stop going to school in March. I am a little bit worried about catching COVID but I am excited to wear my new masks at school.โ โ Layla, 7, Canada
โI missed the social aspect of it. The lockdown was really lonely and I missed seeing friends and teachers in person.โ โ Maariya, 15, United Kingdom
โI would rather sleep in late and play fortnite all day if I was allowed to! But reluctantly actually enjoying being back at school.โ โ Bilaal, 12, United Kingdom
โBefore we started I was a bit reluctant to go, I had gotten used to being at home and I didnโt think the work was that much. But once I returned to school I realized just how much work there was and glad we were at school as I realized how much we needed to get through. Of course teachers being there makes it a bit easier. Itโs also nice to be back with my friends.
โGetting used to the protocol gets easier. Seeing teachers always in masks, always sanitizing your hands becomes second nature.โ โ Ijaaz, 15, South Africa
โThe first few days had definitely been tough. Iโve gotten used to the mask, but social distancing will never feel right. Itโs much easier to do the work at school.โ โ Quraisha, 10, South Africa
Remote Learning
โI feel happy but nervous too. I am a little sad about not going to school. My new teacher is great! Remote learning is turning out pretty good so far.โ โ Noah Hazem, 9 years, United States
โI want to go back to school because I miss my friends. However, Iโm also worried about Covid-19 and I hate to wear the mask for long hours. How would it be then?โ
โI also donโt like online education, I donโt feel It would be like attending school. Iโm confused about my feelings!โ โ Lina, 12, Egypt
โI really want to go back to school everyday because Iโm bored staying that long at home. I miss my friends very much and also my teacher. I miss playing football with my friends. But would we still be able to play together? or the teachers will make us sit at big distances?
โIf you ask me about online education, I find it nice. I can attend the math class while lying on bed (smile). But I prefer attending school. I donโt like to wear the mask but I will do to protect myself and my friends. I donโt want anyone to get the virus.โ โ Adam, 9, Egypt
โI am doing online schooling, and itโs weird. Back at normal school, I had a chance to talk to everyone. I could focus more in class. I didnโt have to ask my friends if I can talk to them. So I guess itโs kinda sad.โ โ Mariam, 11, United States
What do your children say?
โWe cope with difficult moments not by changing how we feel but by learning to regulate how we feel. And regulation comes from understanding and allowing,โ explains clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy.
Itโs important that we actually listen to our childrenโs concerns and feelings, even if we donโt have all the answers for them. Encourage them to tell you their concerns, listen without interrupting, and offer solutions when you can. But most importantly: be your childโs rock.
