As fully evolved human beings, we like to believe we have learned to plan and adapt to changing situations. But what do we do when we’re hit with something really unexpected, like a life-changing pandemic? What do we do when virtually all of our plans must be put aside and many of us are confined to our homes? We rise to the challenge and continue to adapt.

Despite the incredible uncertainties resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, over the past months we’ve seen countless inspiring examples of people across the world adjusting their lives with courage and compassion as needed for their particular circumstances. It hasn’t been easy, but the human spirit prevails. One key: knowing when to push ahead and when to give yourself a break.

Parents of school-age children face unique challenges. Many parents are working from home themselves while overseeing schoolwork, facing a doubled workload, often in cramped quarters. Other find themselves on the job in essential services while also needing to care for their families.

For most parents, their children’s’ education is a top priority in the best of times. Uncertainty brings added urgency to the desire to provide a quality education that will prepare children for a secure, successful future. With 48 states and 4 U.S. territories requiring schools to close for the remainder of the academic year, many parents are concerned that their children will suffer a decline in learning. Uncertainty about whether or how schools will reopen in the fall heightens fears of a “COVID-19 slide” similar to the lapse in knowledge and skills that follows summer vacation. Added to these concerns is the loss of socialization opportunities provided by the school environment. For students, school is more than just education; they tend to rely on it for social, physical, and emotional wellbeing. This, many educators say, is where parents should focus their time and energy.

Tip #1 Create a consistent and safe environment

First and foremost, help your child emotionally adapt to the change. No one is good at learning when they’re feeling stressed and unsafe. Acknowledge the changes, and talk about how this is hard for everyone. Validating your child’s emotions and feelings is extremely important in creating a safe space for them. Simply listening and being empathetic will help them learn to manage their emotions. Tough times such as these can be difficult for children (and adults) of all ages. Acknowledge that the uncertainty can be frustrating, and it’s all right to feel a bit lost. Helping children feel heard, understood and secure will help them find the strength to focus on learning.

Next, set a foundation for success by defining a set learning space for your child. How you do this will vary by age and your household circumstances, but it’s always a good idea to include children in the process of deciding where and when to study. With teens, it’s a critical step. Because many children are experiencing emotional distress and a sense of loss, creating a healthy and wholesome learning environment for your child at home is vital to their mental health as well as their academic progress.

Finally, establish a routine. Schools create a sense of routine and discipline that helps kids stay on track. You can replicate this at home by creating daily schedules that promote a sense of stability. Kids tend to feel more secure in chaotic times when there’s a pre-determined routine. Parents, you’ll also benefit from the efficiency of routine as you juggle your many responsibilities.

Tip #2 Extra-curricular activities count

Educational institutions provide a holistic experience that incorporates other essential aspects to development, such as social, physical and creative activities. Perhaps not as important to most students’ eventual career paths, these activities are however crucial in maintaining a happy, well-balanced life.

This probably sounds like one more thing to find time for in your overfilled schedule, but with a little advance planning parents can schedule extra-curricular activities into the weekly routine. Once you’ve selected activities and put them on the schedule, things are more likely to fall into place without taking up too much extra time. The internet offers an abundance of material to draw from. Google “physical / creative activities for kids at home” and you’ll find options for every age.

Creative activities can help kids of any age express their emotions as well as their artistic sensibilities, and can help boost their mood. Now is a great time to encourage children to explore their hobbies. One idea for a daily creativity break is to provide thought-provoking prompts: younger children or those more inclined to draw or paint can express their response that way; older children or those fond of language can keep a journal.

Physical activities contribute a great deal to your child’s physical as well as mental health. The CDC recommends 60 minutes of daily physical activity but any physical activity is better than none.

Creative and easy physical activities you can encourage your kids to try at home include:

• Aerobics - dig out your old DVDs or stream from your child’s favorite app
• Dance - crank up their favorite tunes for a dance break
• Yoga – search YouTube or try your local studio; many are offering free coronavirus lockdown classes
• Back yard fun - pillow-case races, scavenger hunts, silly circuit training or obstacle courses
• Jump rope/hula hoop – the cheapest, easiest exercise around

Tip #3 Build on social and emotional skills

Education is not just about math and science; it encompasses other qualities such as empathy, communication, leadership, and collaboration. These are important life skills that complete a child’s personality and prepare them for a better future. While confined to the home environment, this can be a tough area to address, so it’s time to get creative. Thankfully, most of us have access to technology resources to help see us through.

Try to organize fun, team-based activities within your family on evenings and weekends to encourage positive relationships and pro-social skills like cooperation and compromise. Be sure to add music to the mix, as research indicates that interacting with children through music and creative activities can enhance brain and character development.

Be creative and come up with new techniques to boost social skills. If your child has access to technology, encourage them to communicate regularly with friends. Apps like Messenger Kids can help families ensure safe communication. Organizing virtual playdates using Zoom or Skype can help keep younger kids in touch. Most importantly, help your children stay connected with other children of the same age to continue their social development while warding off feelings of loneliness.

Another important way to help build your child’s socio-emotional skills is to encourage them to connect with culture – their own and those of societies worldwide. This instills a sense of belonging as well as a sense of positive wonder about the world. To explore your own background, watch movies or read books about your culture or cook traditional meals together. The internet offers an abundance of ways to explore the world, making virtual field trips to museums, zoos, music halls and more as easy as a click of the mouse.

Conclusion

This “new normal” will continue to present challenges for students, educators, and parents. As a parent, you may be worried about your child’s education and future endeavors. Do the best you can to stay strong and act as a support system for your children – but remember to be forgiving of yourself as you are with your children if you have a bad day. Emotional and mental health needs to come first for you, too. Try to remember to “put on your oxygen mask first” and find ways to take a break and recharge – no matter how brief, it will help.