As Covid-19 restrictions ease around the UK, we know that teachers and parents are nervous about the implications for the classroom. A recent LinkedIn poll revealed the biggest challenge for teachers was keeping a Covid safe classroom. It is not hard to understand why…
The latest data indicates that 3.9% of early years pupils were absent for Covid related reasons in February compared to 5.1% in January. Despite this, Covid is still very much a part of our daily lives. With this in mind, the government and Department of Education (DFE) have issued guidance for early year’s settings to help them provide a safe learning environment.
Using the DFE Covid guidance, we have collated our top tips for keeping a Covid safe classroom as restrictions come to an end:
Tip 1: Keep up with cleaning routines
- It is still advised to maintain cleaning more than the standard cleaning routine to help control the spread of infections.
- Why not involve your little ones? This can give children a sense of responsibility for the environment and objects around them. It also provides an element of Montessori learning as children develop real-life skills.
Tip 2: Talk to children about Covid
- The pandemic has been part of life for 2 years. For adults, this may not seem a significant period. However, for children, this may be the longest period that they remember.
- Discussions about Covid in an age-appropriate way can help children make sense of the situation. It offers a chance for them to ask questions and is also an opportunity for them to learn.
- Why not try and incorporate discussions about germs and viruses into activities? One such activity could be covering children’s hands with glitter and asking them to experiment with washing their hands with just water versus water and soap.
- An alternate activity could be to add coloured water into a spray bottle and spray it onto white paper. Children can then observe how far the droplets travel.
Tip 3: Monitor wellbeing
- As well as discussing germs, it is also important to address the impact of the pandemic on our children and ways of nurturing their mental health.
- Children have had to endure many changes to their routines. Having one-to-ones or circle time is crucial now more than ever.
- Help children to explore their emotions with prompting PSHE resources such as the How I Feel Today mirror.
- Let us not forget that the constant changes and government statistics can have an impact on teachers’ wellbeing too. Make sure you look out for yourselves and your colleagues. Check out our handy tips for teachers.
Helpful links
How to talk to your children about coronavirus
