Talk about it

Children have tried incredibly hard to do their schoolwork online and continue seeing their classmates. Parents have supported their children as well as possible. And teachers have done everything they could to continue teaching. An enormous achievement by everyone!

Meanwhile, there is constant talk about learning delays that have arisen. Trust that children are resilient enough and that, with time and attention, much can be made right. Not immediately, but this too shall pass. It is important to keep talking with children about how they are doing.

Pay attention to change and new situations. Children are generally able to cope well with change, especially when their surroundings respond calmly and consistently. It is helpful to talk about the changing situation. This allows questions to be answered and concerns to be discussed.

How do your children feel about going to school? Give your children room to respond and ask them a few questions. This will help you find out what is occupying your child. Answer your children's questions as honestly as possible, taking your child's age into account. Read more about tailoring answers to your child's age.

Also pay attention to the fun things:

  • Seeing friends
  • Doing fun things at school
  • Seeing the teacher
  • Playing outside with classmates

Pay attention to hygiene

To further limit the risk of the virus spreading, schools are considering additional measures. What may and must you do if your child has a cold? Can your child go to school or not? For more information, see the page Having a cold and going to school?.

Schools will also pay a great deal of attention to hygiene:

  • Washing hands more often
  • Coughing and sneezing into the elbow
  • The building is cleaned and ventilated more often.

Continue to pay attention to the agreed rules at home. Tell your child how important it is to follow the hygiene rules.

Need another extra lesson on washing hands? Watch this handwashing video.

Pay attention to specific situations

Stress and worries about going to school

Children may find going to school, sports activities or daycare stressful for various reasons. Always take their reasons and feelings seriously; it is okay for them to feel this way. Remain as calm as possible yourself and talk about it.

Listen to and observe your child carefully, and try to identify together what is causing the stress. Perhaps you can already alleviate a large part of your child's worries. Also talk together about the positive aspects of going to school. This may ease the tension somewhat through positive thoughts. Also look together at what you should do if you are afraid of coronavirus.

Inform the teacher or instructor about your child's concerns. If possible, do this together with your child. The teacher can then take them into account.

Can my child travel to school independently by public transport?

It is good for children to travel to school independently, including by public transport. Everyone may use public transport, provided that they use an official seat or standing place and wear a face mask if your child is 13 or older.

Instructions work best when you explain what your child IS allowed to do, in addition to what they MUST NOT do:

  • You can simply choose a seat yourself on the bus.
  • You may also hold on to a strap or bar on the metro, but put on gloves while travelling or pull your sweater sleeve over your hand.
  • And when you arrive at school: always wash your hands first. Even if this makes you late to class.

More information about travelling by public transport can be found at Rijksoverheid.nl.

How is student transport arranged?

Student transport can take place in the usual way. For children in primary education, the requirement to keep a distance of one and a half metres does not apply either between the children or between them and the driver. For children in secondary education, the one-and-a-half-metre distance from the driver still applies. Where this is not possible, the driver wears a face mask.

For more information, see the page on student transport.

Are you worried yourself about your child going to school?

As a parent, you may also have concerns for many different reasons. It is important to remain as calm as possible, so that your children do not take over these worries. Talk about it with the teacher, a friend or a family member. This may offer a solution or ease some of your concerns. As a family, you can of course also talk about each other's concerns. Do this calmly. This gives your children the space to share their concerns as well.

Would you like to read more about calming down? Then take a look at the page about staying healthy.

Child or family member in a vulnerable group

Are you worried about your child's health? Are you afraid that your child belongs to a vulnerable group and therefore feel anxious about them going to school? Discuss this concern first with your GP. They can advise you on what is sensible to do in your situation. If you, or someone else in the family, belongs to a vulnerable group, it is also wise to discuss this with the GP.

If it would be wiser not to send your child to school, explain this honestly to them. Give your child room to respond and express their emotions. Discuss the situation with the teacher and see what support from the school and class is possible, so that your child feels involved.

Birthday and treats

Ask your child's school whether they are allowed to bring treats and discuss this with your child as well. These kinds of arrangements are usually made in consultation with the Parents' Committee or the Participation Council. At some schools, all the teachers' birthdays have been celebrated for years on one big day for the whole school. Perhaps a joint celebratory activity could also be planned for all the children whose birthdays it is.