In order to help our children feel safe and happy at the Carrot Patch in this unprecedented time...
1. We will take cues from your children. If and when questions or concerns arise, we will respond in an age-appropriate way. We will be honest, clear and answer simply. We will not overload with information and will keep you informed about any worries or misconceptions your children may articulate. Our message, as always, is that it is safe to talk with a teacher. Feel free to ask your child’s teacher for any additional information, such as specific terms we use at school.
2. We hope to empower your children about their role in staying safe at school. (Empowering can help allay fears.) We will reinforce what we are sure you are doing at home by encouraging frequent hand-washing, "catching" that cough/ sneeze, not sharing food or—at this time—not sharing toys and materials. There will be visual cues/reminders in all areas of the classroom—and, of course, lots of teacher support.
3. We will stick to a routine (which can be very reassuring), increase time spent in our spacious outdoor classroom and help to create normalcy wherever and whenever possible.
4. We will try to make our “new normal” lighthearted and fun wherever possible. Teachers excel at finding ways to turn challenges into games! (For example, teachers will make an engaging activity out of learning to “read” facial expressions without seeing the mouth under the mask.)
5. While teachers will not initiate physical contact with children, they will not deny any child a hug, or other appropriate form of physical contact when a child indicates the need for comfort or reassurance. This form of caring is critical to the wellbeing of young children (indeed for all of us). For more info on this issue, you can read this article: https://theconversation.com/miss-hugs-touch-forms-bonds-andboosts-immune-systems-heres-how-to-cope-without-it-during-coronavirus-137612
6. Children will NOT be required to wear masks. If you prefer your child over the age of two to wear a mask, we will try if feasible. We will not make any child wear a mask if they are uncomfortable doing so, or if their behavior while wearing it poses more of a hazard than it is meant to protect against (for example, constant face-touching because of the mask). In a continued effort to keep our home/school connection open and consistent, we welcome your thoughts and ideas about how to help our children feel comfortable and secure in their "home away from home".
Following is a link and also a helpful Q & A for talking to kids about CoVid-19: https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
Children’s Questions and Answers
As COVID-19 spreads, children are wondering about many things. As caring adults, we do not have all the answers but we can offer honest, age-appropriate information. Below are a few general suggestions for responding to children’s questions, followed by some answers to specific questions.
• Find out what children know or are thinking first. Correct misinformation, but don’t overload children with details if they just want a simple answer.
• Express appreciation that a child is asking the question. “Thanks for coming to me. I always want to know what you’re wondering about.
• Offer honest answers, which might be, “I don’t know, but I’ll let you know when I do.”Remember that children have limited life experience and perspective.
• Their questions are usually about themselves and their immediate community and family. “Will I be okay? Will you be okay? What will happen to us?”
Question: What is the coronavirus? Answer: The coronavirus (or COVID-19) is a newly discovered virus that is making people in many parts of the world sick. Corona is Latin for “crown.” The virus when seen under a microscope looks like a crown with pointy blobs.
Question: What are the symptoms? Answer: Most people who get the coronavirus have symptoms like a cold or flu, such as fevers, coughs, body aches, or trouble breathing. Kids likely develop very mild symptoms.
Question: What about my grandparents? Answer: Just like at other times, some people tend to get sicker than others do. Older people, especially those who already have health problems, might have more serious symptoms, but doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to give the best care possible.
Question: Can anyone get coronavirus? Answer: Yes. Coronavirus is spread through coughs, sneezes, and close contact with someone who’s already sick. It doesn’t matter what you look like or what country you come from.
Question: What will happen if I get sick? Answer: Children who get the coronavirus usually feel like they have a cold or mild case of the flu. You might have a cough or body aches. You will probably want to rest more and you might need medicines like cough drops or pain reliever. Doctors might give you an exam to see if you have the virus. We won’t see friends or go anywhere. We will take care of you just as we would if you had a cold.
Question: What will happen if you get sick? Can you still work? Will you take care of me? Answer: If I get sick, I might need to stay in bed for a few days and I probably will not feel very good. I might need to go to the doctor to be tested or for care if I am really sick. Other family members will help take care of you. Depending on how I feel, I will work at home, but mostly, I’ll just be resting to get better as quickly as possible.
Question: What will happen if school closes? Who will take care of me? What will it be like to be home? Answer: If school closes, we will be home together (or another caregiver will care for you). We will do online school based on what our school decides is best. We will probably have times when we enjoy reading, playing, and spending time together. We might also have times when we feel grumpy or bored. We might need time to ourselves. Whatever we do, we will be together and it will be okay.
Question: Why are the shelves in the stores empty? Why are people so upset? Will we have enough food? Answer: People know that if they become sick, they might not be able to go to the store for a while. Officials have recommended that we keep enough food in the house to last for a few weeks, but some people are buying a lot of food because they feel scared.
Question: Will you lose your job? Answer: Many businesses are closed right now and some people might lose their jobs. I don’t think I will lose mine, but I’m not sure (or whatever is the most accurate response). We are being very careful with our money and we are thinking about what we can do if I do lose my job.
Question: I heard that some people caused the virus. Is that true? Answer: Viruses, like the virus that causes the flu, are part of life on earth. Some cause more serious illness than others do, but the coronavirus is nobody’s fault. Many people in the world are going through a hard time right now. We can feel empathy and compassion for them instead of blaming them. Blaming people does not do any good and it can make us feel more scared and upset. Instead, we will take good care of ourselves and help other people as much as we can. We will treat others with kindness and respect.
Question: What if I have questions or feel afraid? Answer: It’s always, always okay to talk with a grownup you trust if you have questions.
1. We will take cues from your children. If and when questions or concerns arise, we will respond in an age-appropriate way. We will be honest, clear and answer simply. We will not overload with information and will keep you informed about any worries or misconceptions your children may articulate. Our message, as always, is that it is safe to talk with a teacher. Feel free to ask your child’s teacher for any additional information, such as specific terms we use at school.
2. We hope to empower your children about their role in staying safe at school. (Empowering can help allay fears.) We will reinforce what we are sure you are doing at home by encouraging frequent hand-washing, "catching" that cough/ sneeze, not sharing food or—at this time—not sharing toys and materials. There will be visual cues/reminders in all areas of the classroom—and, of course, lots of teacher support.
3. We will stick to a routine (which can be very reassuring), increase time spent in our spacious outdoor classroom and help to create normalcy wherever and whenever possible.
4. We will try to make our “new normal” lighthearted and fun wherever possible. Teachers excel at finding ways to turn challenges into games! (For example, teachers will make an engaging activity out of learning to “read” facial expressions without seeing the mouth under the mask.)
5. While teachers will not initiate physical contact with children, they will not deny any child a hug, or other appropriate form of physical contact when a child indicates the need for comfort or reassurance. This form of caring is critical to the wellbeing of young children (indeed for all of us). For more info on this issue, you can read this article: https://theconversation.com/miss-hugs-touch-forms-bonds-andboosts-immune-systems-heres-how-to-cope-without-it-during-coronavirus-137612
6. Children will NOT be required to wear masks. If you prefer your child over the age of two to wear a mask, we will try if feasible. We will not make any child wear a mask if they are uncomfortable doing so, or if their behavior while wearing it poses more of a hazard than it is meant to protect against (for example, constant face-touching because of the mask). In a continued effort to keep our home/school connection open and consistent, we welcome your thoughts and ideas about how to help our children feel comfortable and secure in their "home away from home".
Following is a link and also a helpful Q & A for talking to kids about CoVid-19: https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
Children’s Questions and Answers
As COVID-19 spreads, children are wondering about many things. As caring adults, we do not have all the answers but we can offer honest, age-appropriate information. Below are a few general suggestions for responding to children’s questions, followed by some answers to specific questions.
• Find out what children know or are thinking first. Correct misinformation, but don’t overload children with details if they just want a simple answer.
• Express appreciation that a child is asking the question. “Thanks for coming to me. I always want to know what you’re wondering about.
• Offer honest answers, which might be, “I don’t know, but I’ll let you know when I do.”Remember that children have limited life experience and perspective.
• Their questions are usually about themselves and their immediate community and family. “Will I be okay? Will you be okay? What will happen to us?”
Question: What is the coronavirus? Answer: The coronavirus (or COVID-19) is a newly discovered virus that is making people in many parts of the world sick. Corona is Latin for “crown.” The virus when seen under a microscope looks like a crown with pointy blobs.
Question: What are the symptoms? Answer: Most people who get the coronavirus have symptoms like a cold or flu, such as fevers, coughs, body aches, or trouble breathing. Kids likely develop very mild symptoms.
Question: What about my grandparents? Answer: Just like at other times, some people tend to get sicker than others do. Older people, especially those who already have health problems, might have more serious symptoms, but doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to give the best care possible.
Question: Can anyone get coronavirus? Answer: Yes. Coronavirus is spread through coughs, sneezes, and close contact with someone who’s already sick. It doesn’t matter what you look like or what country you come from.
Question: What will happen if I get sick? Answer: Children who get the coronavirus usually feel like they have a cold or mild case of the flu. You might have a cough or body aches. You will probably want to rest more and you might need medicines like cough drops or pain reliever. Doctors might give you an exam to see if you have the virus. We won’t see friends or go anywhere. We will take care of you just as we would if you had a cold.
Question: What will happen if you get sick? Can you still work? Will you take care of me? Answer: If I get sick, I might need to stay in bed for a few days and I probably will not feel very good. I might need to go to the doctor to be tested or for care if I am really sick. Other family members will help take care of you. Depending on how I feel, I will work at home, but mostly, I’ll just be resting to get better as quickly as possible.
Question: What will happen if school closes? Who will take care of me? What will it be like to be home? Answer: If school closes, we will be home together (or another caregiver will care for you). We will do online school based on what our school decides is best. We will probably have times when we enjoy reading, playing, and spending time together. We might also have times when we feel grumpy or bored. We might need time to ourselves. Whatever we do, we will be together and it will be okay.
Question: Why are the shelves in the stores empty? Why are people so upset? Will we have enough food? Answer: People know that if they become sick, they might not be able to go to the store for a while. Officials have recommended that we keep enough food in the house to last for a few weeks, but some people are buying a lot of food because they feel scared.
Question: Will you lose your job? Answer: Many businesses are closed right now and some people might lose their jobs. I don’t think I will lose mine, but I’m not sure (or whatever is the most accurate response). We are being very careful with our money and we are thinking about what we can do if I do lose my job.
Question: I heard that some people caused the virus. Is that true? Answer: Viruses, like the virus that causes the flu, are part of life on earth. Some cause more serious illness than others do, but the coronavirus is nobody’s fault. Many people in the world are going through a hard time right now. We can feel empathy and compassion for them instead of blaming them. Blaming people does not do any good and it can make us feel more scared and upset. Instead, we will take good care of ourselves and help other people as much as we can. We will treat others with kindness and respect.
Question: What if I have questions or feel afraid? Answer: It’s always, always okay to talk with a grownup you trust if you have questions.