• Published by Jennifer Khumarga, M.S., BCBA from Enreach Behavioral Services 

After a long time of studying online, children have started to get used to it. With the improvement in COVID-19 cases, schools have started to open for in-person learning. Children have started to return to in-person learning but in a different situation, that is the “new normal.” What are the things that need to be prepared before in-person school?

1. Starting a Routine
   • Start a routine that is similar with school routine. You can start with adjusting their sleep and wake up time. Maybe during online school, your child could wake up a little later. However, with in-person learning it takes more time to get ready in the morning, therefore your child might need to wake up earlier. Another thing that you can do is to follow a school schedule. For example, your child has to eat lunch during his or her supposed lunch time at school. In addition, if there is recess at school, follow the activities that are available at school. For example, not playing with gadget during “recess” at home because it will be unavailable at school.
2. Practice School Routine
   • Practice school routine such as carrying a backpack, packing away lunch, eating independently, and independent when going to the toilet. During the pandemic, these skills may decline because they may not be relevant or the availability of help at home. Therefore, it is extremely important to practice those skills again before in-person learning
3. Other Skills
   • Other important skills that are often used include waiting, sharing, and taking turns. Teaching or getting used to those skills again before in-person learning is important to ensure that your children have an enjoyable experience at school.
4. Practice Wearing a Mask
   • Mask wearing skill is one of the most important skills that a child needs to master. Make sure that your child can wear a mask well and correctly, and with long duration. It is also important to teach them how to maintain the cleanliness of their mask. For example, not to put their mask on a dirty surface when eating or taking off their mask.
5. Practice Washing Hands
   • Before in-person school, your children also need to be able to wash their hands properly without help. For example, using soap, rubbing the palms and backs of their hands, fingers, between the fingers, and nails. Children should also be able to rinse and dry their hands thoroughly.
6. Other Skills (Health Protocol)
   • Other skills that need to be practices include social distancing, safe coughing (covering nose and mouth with a tissue or arm), and having their temperature taken.
7. Practice Coping Skills
   • Coping skills are important skills to learn before in-person learning. When going back to school, there will be situations that are out of your child’s control that could upset them. For example, at school they might have to wait, or they might not always get what they want. In those situations, it is important that they know how to regulate their emotions.
8. Social Stories (rules and expectations)
   • Before in-person training, remind your child of the rules and expectations at school. Some of those rules may include following teacher instruction, raising hand before speaking, listening when others are speaking, and respecting others.

COVID-19, in-person learning, in-person school

Children 4 Years - 6 Years / 4 Tahun - 6 Tahun / Physical Development / Tumbuh Kembang Fisik / Health / Kesehatan / What Preparations Need to be Made Before In-Person School?

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