{"id":1531,"date":"2021-01-11T16:24:36","date_gmt":"2021-01-11T08:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress_test_segi\/?p=1531"},"modified":"2022-08-04T16:41:12","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T08:41:12","slug":"success-2021-series-seven-things-you-can-do-to-prepare-your-children-for-their-return-to-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/success-2021-series-seven-things-you-can-do-to-prepare-your-children-for-their-return-to-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Success 2021 series: seven things you can do to prepare your children for their return to school\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many of us have heard that age-old adage, \u201cMother\/Father Knows Best\u201d.\u00a0 We couldn\u2019t agree more.\u00a0 At SEGi College Subang Jaya<\/em><\/strong>, having had twenty-one years of expertise in the provision of Early Childhood Care and Education programmes<\/a> (since 1999), we are very familiar with young children and their care and education.\u00a0 That\u2019s why we totally agree that as parents, you have complete knowledge of and autonomy over your children\u2019s best interests.\u00a0 And we want to assure you that as academicians with our hearts and souls in the children (the youngest and tenderest of us all), we have you and your children\u2019s best interests at heart.<\/p>\n

The year 2020 saw the advent of a hitherto unknown enemy, the COVID-19<\/em>, which came along and wreaked havoc on all our lives, sparing none.\u00a0 When the Malaysian Movement Control Order<\/em> was put into place back in March 2020, all our schools were forced to close, and all formal education was put on hold.\u00a0 Parents began to worry about their children\u2019s education, or rather, the lack thereof.\u00a0 Teachers, principals, in fact, all education providers, began to fret about this halt in the education of those in their care.\u00a0 It was startlingly obvious, then, that something had to be done to rectify this dire situation and bring education back to students, because their very futures depend on it.<\/p>\n

Undaunted by the threat of our seemingly relentless faceless enemy, as a leader in the education industry, we at SEGi College Subang Jaya <\/em><\/strong>took matters into our own hands and calmly organised a series of webinars<\/a>, inviting industry leaders, policy influencers and ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) experts to talk about how preschool operators and parents can rise up to the occasion and make it possible for us to continue educating our young even in the face of a pandemic.\u00a0 On our webinar agendas, we discussed the best practices, the latest research, the adoption of new techniques and technologies, and we made an astounding breakthrough! The response we garnered through these webinars was overwhelming, and we gained the rapt attention of parents, teachers, principals and the relevant business owners.\u00a0 Our audiences were fascinated by the store of values and insights that our expert speakers provided.\u00a0 All these stakeholders looked to us\u00a0as a beacon of light and wisdom to help them navigate their children, their schools and their businesses through the obstacles wrought upon us by the COVID-19<\/em> and the MCO<\/em>.\u00a0 And we are proud and happy that we did not disappoint.<\/p>\n

Now that the schools are reopening, we thought of continuing our efforts of sharing with you some insights on how you can prepare your children for the return to their school.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seven Things You Can Do to Prepare Your Children for Their Return to School\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

By,
\nMs Carolyn Choo, Head, Faculty of Education and Ms Leong Foong Lin, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, Faculty of Education
\nSEGi College Subang Jaya<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Comfort and Reassure Them<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Make the time to spend thoughtful moments conversing with your children and reassure them that everything is going to be alright.\u00a0 Young children are tender and vulnerable, but they are also discerning and conscious of the world around them and the impact that current situations have made on their families and themselves.\u00a0 Explain to them that things are not as they were before, and that changes will have to be made and adapted to once they return to the classroom (or go for the first time), but don\u2019t forget to remind them that you will protect them and take care of them and that everything will be alright.\u00a0 As the very best teachers and advocates for their own children, nobody else can do this better than parents.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Educate Them in the Latest Recommended Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Many educated adults aren\u2019t sure about the latest standard operating procedures put into place to curb the transmission of this disease.\u00a0 (To be honest, we can\u2019t blame them because the situation can be extremely fluid)\u00a0 Imagine, then, how confused our children must be.\u00a0 Teach them to constantly, correctly and thoroughly wash their hands and sanitise, to wear their masks, and to maintain social distancing in school.\u00a0 Gently explain the evolving situation and standards to them, and teach them how important it is to adhere to these standards for their own safety and that of those around them.\u00a0 Be honest, cite accurate information, and above all, be gentle.\u00a0 Our children are our most precious possessions after all.<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Encourage Them to Confide in You and to Express Themselves<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        In these uncertain times, come through as certain and rock-solid for your children.\u00a0 We are most of us unsure about the future, and we feel insecure \u2013 imagine how exponentially uncertain and afraid our children must be, then.\u00a0 Regularly ask about their feelings.\u00a0 Tell them that they can and should always come to you with their emotions, particularly their fears and concerns.\u00a0 Being the ones most capable of making your children feel safe, show them that you\u2019re always there to listen to them and comfort them.\u00a0 And then nip whatever fears or uncertainties they might have right in the bud.<\/p>\n

        \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Follow the Old (and Exciting) Back-to-School Routine<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Don\u2019t let even a pandemic take the joy and thrill out of the first day of school.\u00a0 We\u2019ve all had the First-Day Jitters and Butterflies.\u00a0 And didn\u2019t we just love them! About a week or so before school recommences, establish that reliable old back-to-school routine \u2013 progressively earlier bedtimes, morning preparation rituals, new uniforms, shopping for and packing new school bags and stationeries.\u00a0 Take it up a notch and drive them to their new school because this will be fun and exciting for them (and you).<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Do a Dry Run<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Let your children practise getting dressed in their uniforms (if uniforms don\u2019t apply, then help them pick out favourite outfits) in order for them to become familiar with the process.\u00a0 Younger children are particularly vulnerable to this kind of life-changing stress.\u00a0 Ease this momentous transition for them by performing a few practice runs.\u00a0 This will certainly relieve their anxiety.\u00a0 Then discuss a typical daily routine, the times when school will start and end, what would normally happen on a school day, what could potentially happen on a school day, the school\u2019s standard operating procedures, and school policies on conduct and behaviour.\u00a0 Children need boundaries and some semblance of reliable routines because these allow them to feel safe and confident.<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Seek Out A Buddy<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Children like familiar faces, as do we adults.\u00a0 Do some research and identify someone you can trust within the school context whom you and\/or your children can talk to should an emotional, social or health issue ever arise from their transition back to school or, worst-case scenario, should anyone in the school be tested positive for the COVID-19<\/em>. \u00a0Connect with this person and together with your children, make a buddy out of her\/him prior to your children\u2019s return\/entrance to school.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Engage Your Children in Active Learning<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Do something different.\u00a0 Relieve your children of their electronic devices and provide tactile and active learning experiences for them.\u00a0 Read to them from real books, play musical instruments with them, take them outside to kick a ball or play a game of badminton, explore and examine the flora and fauna in your garden or the neighbourhood park.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be surprised how excited and exhilarated you\u2019ll make them (and yourselves) feel!<\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                Back-To-School has always been stressful, and heaven knows we don\u2019t need a pandemic to make it more so.\u00a0 Because at SEGi College Subang Jaya<\/em><\/strong>, we\u2019re not just about educating college-goers.\u00a0 We\u2019re also about making our community and society better.\u00a0 We go beyond education.\u00a0 And that means taking care of you and your children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Many of us have heard that age-old adage, \u201cMother\/Father Knows Best\u201d.\u00a0 We couldn\u2019t agree more.\u00a0 At SEGi College Subang Jaya, having had twenty-one years of expertise in the provision of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":7673,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[77],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1531"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1531"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10092,"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1531\/revisions\/10092"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/colleges.segi.edu.my\/subangjaya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}