Why is Teaching Restart Protocols Critical?
When the school doors open to welcome students back, they will not be returning to the “same place” they left before the COVID-19 Pandemic. The spaces will look different, and the way everyone behaves, including the adults, will be different. This unknown has caused high levels of anxiety and fear. During this unprecedented restart, it is our ultimate responsibility to develop trusted relationships with
positive, consistent environments for each child. All children, especially those with anxiety or exposure to trauma, benefit from the structure that routines provide. That is why it is essential to use proactive measures of teaching the student what behaviors are appropriate and expected.
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How to Teach the New COVID-19 Expectations
1) Create YOUR school list of expectations. We must teach the restart expectations and appropriate behavior as effectively as we teach academic skills.
2) Create the Teaching Expectation Plan- Educators need to understand that just like academics, students require different approaches in order to learn how to use these newly created school behaviors.
3)
Practice makes perfect. Some students will need more practice than their peers.
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Creating a Visual Demonstration of Protocols at Home and School
Families also need to be part of the expectations for ensuring their children are ready to go to school each day. Check out this
video sample that your school could use or replicate to help families understand expectations of self checking for COVID-19 symptoms each day. The ability to visualize the space of the schools and watch the demonstration of the new expected behaviors will lessen the anxiety of students and parents. Developing the trust of safety with the lives of their children is a critical first step.
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