TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pediatrician Natasya Ayu Andamari shares tips for parents and caregivers to prepare their children for returning to school and undergoing face-to-face learning. At the end of August, the government allowed reopening of schools located in regions under level 1-3 public mobility restriction or PPKM Level 1-3.

The face-to-face learning at schools raises debate and concern among parents. Some express happiness that their children can interact with teachers and friends again, while some are worried about letting their children attend on-site studies.

Here are four tips for parents and caregivers to preparing their kids to go back to school:

1. Talk to children about COVID-19

“Before they go to school, parents can first give a briefing so they really understand [about the situation]. It is hoped that they can take care of themselves [and parents can] let them go to school,” said Natasya.

Parents, she opines, need to explain to their children about the current pandemic situation and the face-to-face learning rules that must be obeyed, as well as ask their opinion about attending offline or online classrooms.

2. Prepare food

Parents need to prepare sufficient food supplies before their children go to school, considering that they cannot eat freely due to the health protocols and limited mealtimes or breaks.

3. Prepare spare face masks

Some schools hold PTM for about 2-3 hours. However, there are schools that implement longer school time so that wearing a face mask continuously will not be effective in preventing the virus. “Moreover, children play actively so they get dirty faster. So, prepare spare masks for them to change at school,” she added.

4. Support children’s physical and mental health

“Prepare children’s physical and mental health so that they can follow school lessons well even in a short time,” said Natasya.

Parents should always ensure and maintain their child's immunity during the pandemic by providing nutritional food and if needed, vitamin supplementation. The COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available for the 6-11 year age group but parents are suggested to complete other immunizations for their children.

As for mental health, Natasya said the happy hormones owned by humans can stimulate the body's immunity, so it is important to maintain emotional stability and take ‘me time’ to release stress, especially for parents who take care of children all the time given that such negative emotion can affect children's mental conditions.

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