transitioning back to school -

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Notes from Cognition Events wellbeing webinar - Transitioning Back to School: Dwell in Possibility presented by Rebecca Thomas and Steve Saville.

What is the best environment for the students to come back to?

Key message is the need to create a calm environment. Students and families might be anxious about what they've missed out on. It would be a mistake to think we need to 'catch them up'. 

Teacher credibility is key (research paper here), as is the importance of routine, clarity of message and competent and trustworthy adults. Actively teach tolerance (this was brought up in context of high school setting - it was recorded by presenter prior to mask wearing in high schools being mandated, how will teacher manage transition back in terms of mask wearing and potential conflict)


Tips:

  • disconnect from devices for part of day - teachers and students. Engage in conversation, genuine connection, responsive interactions with others.
  • caring for things - class pet, plant etc.
  • 'imaginary student' introduced (or puppet) who may need support, have questions - opportunity for students to role-model, problem solve etc. Also if students have opportunity to make puppets (sock puppets, bag puppets etc.), often in their role play you'll find the puppet might be more willing to talk about things - can give a window into their world.
  • Practical, physical exercise and sport - important for wellbeing. Reconnect with selves, environment and each other. (Māori Movement - Fitness of the Gods)

Students want to 'get back to normal' - we need stability and 'normal' but when we think back to last lockdowns (student engagement, behaviour etc.), impacts of lockdowns will manifest in many ways so we need to be aware of playing longer term game - look for warning signs, normalise concern about wellbeing, normalise talking about wellbeing. Not just a short term thing, the excitement of return wears off. Weave our approaches through our 'normal' systems. Don't want to set up something upon our students return that's over the top and that we can't sustain longer term and weave into our everyday systems. 

Reconnection and rebuilding sense of community - for staff and for students. Welcome them back. Sense of unity and consistency - give students sense they're coming back into a calm, stable, caring environment. Celebrate and share - acknowledge each other and their part in community. Establishment of 'us'. 

I felt this presentation supported our transitioning back to school planning with emphasis on reconnection, routines and wellbeing. 

Recommended video for all staff:



And re-sharing this excellent video - it's well worth everybody watching and considering - thinking about our own children and also thinking about connecting with our students. 







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