9 Positives from School Closures; Part 1

Part 1, THREE Positives For Parents

There has been much negative debate regarding the education of children recently, but it has to be noted that despite the anxiety surrounding Covid-19 for many youngsters, their parents and teachers, the lockdown situation has also resulted in positives for learning. It is important, moving towards ‘normality’ that we acknowledge these, learn from them and try where possible to carry them forward to benefit education for the future. This is part one and will cover three such positives for parents, although you will be able to think of many more I am sure.

Parents

Parents’ lives were turned upside down when all schools were closed at the end of March. I made a vlog back then to try and allay some of the fears as parents were being bombarded with notes from schools and photos of ‘perfect’ home-school environments on social media. Now three months on, many positives can be noted:

1. Reduction of School-Associated Stress

What I mean by this is actually the complete eradication of that awful school morning family rush hour, with the rabble of anxiety ridden voices: “Hurry up!”, “Have you brushed your teeth?”, “Where are my shoes?”, “Hurry up!”, “Have you washed my PE kit?”, “Get off your tablet and eat your breakfast!”, “Come NOW!”, “HURRY UP!”……..and that’s just the morning! What about the after-school persuasion to do homework, the school runs, the realisation that the water bottle, lunch box AND musical instrument have been left in school? ………..Let’s pause for a moment while we acknowledge the calm that has replaced that time; I for one do not miss it! Not for a moment!

2. Engagement with Learning

Parents have never before had such a great opportunity to engage with their children’s learning. They have been able to join their youngster’s enthusiasm and passion for certain subjects and encourage and support them with others. It has given us true insights into how our children learn whilst acknowledging what they find tricky. We have been able to join in their successes and give the instant feedback that they need. We have also been able to teach our youngsters some valuable life skills such as cooking, gardening and housework; crucial learning for independent living.

3. Family Time

As parents, haven’t we always wanted time to slow down? We’ve craved more time; time to appreciate family and create memories. We wanted to stop rushing, to calm the noise! Whilst we have been restricted to our homes, we have had to think outside the box to create family activities, use the resources we have close at hand and work together to fill our days. Hasn’t it been lovely to see families walking and cycling together, great to hear chattering in gardens, and wonderful to smell the smokiness of outside cooking? For those of us whose health has allowed, we will have special memories from this time forever.

Moving forwards as schools open in the coming months and learning in its more traditional sense is resumed for children across the nation, let us carry forth these positives and continue to engage with our youngsters' education. We all now have our part to play, working together to benefit school and family life. Please comment below if you have other positives to add, and read more positives in Part 2 and Part 3.