Parents across the country are being faced with the decision of whether or not they should send their kids back to face-to-face classes this Fall. It is reasonable to assume that many have struggled to try to balance busy work schedules with their children’s online learning this year. Alternatives like virtual or homeschooling are far from ideal for many, and countless parents are excited about their kids returning to school regardless of the ambiguity involved.
“I'm actually looking forward to it” Kelly Asere told DesignMakePlay, “so are the boys, and I feel they do need social interaction regardless of---I know the situation but I do trust our school and all the stuff that the teachers are doing to make sure that the kids are safe”.
A working mother of two, her boys aged 12 and 15 attend a private Christian school in Burnaby. She says she is happy sending them to school as long as everything goes well, and if we see a spike in cases.
The younger of her two children did well academically this year despite having to switch to remote learning, as did her 15 year old. She did however notice that her “little one”, as she put it, being the extrovert that he is, was missing the interaction physical classes provide.
The lack of social interaction that comes with remote learning is a common concern we have found among parents at Zen Maker Lab. Time with other children is a crucial component of growing up. Social interactions are a necessary part of development throughout childhood, and by spending time with peers children learn interpersonal skills like how to share and resolve conflict.
Nonetheless, Children tend to be resilient, and according to several pediatricians and psychologists, there is still much to be gained from interactions with parents, siblings and even pets. Asere told DesignMakePlay that this year has helped her realize just how important your family and friends are when you are not able to see them. It has also put on display just how adaptable we can be. Overnight, Asere and her boys set themselves up for remote learning and work in contempt of a huge learning curve. In doing so, she and her family illustrated just how far we can adjust when need be, and is a huge reason for why she is not apprehensive about sending her kids back to school this Fall.
Parents across the country are being faced with the decision of whether or not they should send their kids back to face-to-face classes this Fall.[/caption]