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It is hard to face any change in life, but it is even harder if we do not know how to explain it or make it better. This pandemic has left all of us in a void of uncertainty and we have to cope with so many changes in our environment, in our workplace, at home and at school.

Apart from the stress many parents are facing due to the pandemic and the economic and health burdens it has produced, they are also faced with the daunting task of helping their children to adapt and cope with what is called the “new normal” . This new normal involves wearing masks, keeping yourself and others safe and attending school in a very different way.

It is important to explain this to children without creating fear and unsettling them unnecessarily. It is also important to help and guide them through all the challenges and changes they are faced with on a daily basis.

Here are some helpful suggestions:

For parents:

1. Limit media exposure

A constant stream of new information comes out daily regarding COVID-19. Much of this information may be scary or confusing for your child or teen. Additionally, information posted and comments shared on social media could negatively impact your child’s mental health.

2. Ease into normalcy

Restaurants, parks, churches, and malls are just some of the numerous social settings that have begun to open up, reassure your children of safety measures, if you are comfortable returning to these social settings and activities, prior to visiting them.

3. Practice and teach all safety protocols

It is important for your child to carry the safety measures they’ve learned at home into society. Continue to promote personal and communal safety such as hand washing, facemask etiquette and social distancing.

4. Open up the conversation

Having open discussions with your child is a great way to facilitate trust, honesty, and growth. Because things are changing daily, your child’s experience and reactions will most likely also change daily.

5. Be honest about the challenges that came with the pandemic

Some families might have experienced serious challenges and losses during the pandemic, such as loss of income or employment, loss of loved ones or a difficult change in circumstances like working from home.

Be honest with your children, explain what happened and why. Bear in mind that the less you say, the more a child will think that they are to blame or did something wrong or they might think the situation is so serious that you cannot even talk about it. This will just contribute to anxiety and uncertainty in children and more often than not result in emotional and behavioural problems. Be honest and truthful about the things that might not return to “normal” but always create hope about the future. In life it is true that things can change for the worst, but they can certainly also change for the better again.

Having fun times with your children is a great way of relieving stress and you do not need to take them out or buy them toys to do that. Now is the time to be creative, to dust off old board games or to play outside games and to keep a sense of humour. Laughter is one of the most important things we have to ensure emotional health and wellness in our families.

6. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too

Practicing self-care and the management of your own emotions is imperative as a caregiver and parent. Perhaps the best way for you to take care of your child during this time is to make sure you are taking care of yourself.

For children:

1. Following the rules at school is important

The new normal in schools includes knowing how to wash your hands, sanitising school desks and equipment, not being allowed to share stationery and food, wearing masks and social distancing, even on the playground. Make sure you follow the rules to stay safe.

2. Unburden your academic pressures

Try to do your homework every day, if it was difficult to keep up before the virus, this is not the time to add any pressure by falling behind on your schoolwork. Ask for help. Be honest with your parents and teachers if you are struggling. They want to help.

3. Go outdoors – safely

Lockdown periods doesn’t necessarily mean staying cooped up inside. Going out for walks with your friends or family can be a stress-relieving experience as long as you keep a safe distance from people. Being outdoors is good for you. Just remember not to touch your face and to wash your hands when you get home.

4. Pick up a hobby

Free time is perfect for picking up a new skill. Talk with your parents about things you might want to learn more about, like playing an instrument or painting with watercolours. Activities like putting together puzzles or making simple crafts are also great ways to fight restlessness and boredom.

5. Talk to your parents or an adult you can trust

If you are worried about your family and the changes or new challenges you are facing at home, don’t keep it to yourself. Talk to your parents or an adult you can trust. Be aware that your parents might be struggling financially or emotionally because they lost an income or someone close to them.

Ask them about it and try to understand that they might not be able to do or to buy the things they did before the pandemic. They might not be able to take you to a restaurant or to the movies or to buy you toys anymore and it bothers them too.

Now is the time to stand together as a family and there are many things you can do to help, like not nagging them for things you don’t really need or keeping yourself busy while they are working. Try to find new ways of entertaining yourself - how about a treasure hunt or drawing something nice for them?

For Educators:

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a great deal of disruption to learning, the impact of which will be felt long into the next academic year and possibly beyond.

The sector needs to continue to embed technology into learning. Young people are used to being surrounded by technology and as such, they expect to see elements of this in their learning, whether that’s a portal for submitting homework digitally, or group activities being carried out on tablets/computers.

A change in focus from teaching to learning. While learning remotely, there’s been a big switch in focus from teaching to learning; with parents stepping in to help conduct home schooling.

Education leaders may need to explore ways of consulting parents about their child’s education; whether that’s scheduling in remote meetings or parents’ evenings, setting up a parent committee or providing better support for parents so they feel adequately equipped to support their children.

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Dealing with a new normal 2021