2020 has been a hectic year to say the least. Parents of young children have been having an especially hard time with the pandemic because it’s a difficult thing to explain to children in a way that they can understand. As the school year creeps closer, you’re likely wondering if your young child will be safe in pre-k or kindergarten while a global pandemic is happening. Although it will be challenging, it is possible for your child to have a fun and engaging school year in 2020! 

Contact Your Child’s School 

Before school begins, contact your child’s school and ask them for a list of what they’re doing to protect children and staff members returning to school. That list should include increased cleaning and sanitizing, social distancing, and mask wearing if you’re in a state that has confirmed community spread. Some schools are also opting for a modified schedule to limit the number of students in the school each day. With young children, it’s helpful to speak directly with your child’s teacher too to learn more about how they’ve prepared to teach in their classroom. 

Stay Informed on Local Guidelines 

Stay up to date on local health department recommendations in your area. You can find this information online, at the health department, or through a local urgent care center. Your child’s school should update their policies to match these recommendations as the number of COVID-19 cases changes in your area. If you’re concerned the local guidelines aren’t being followed, contact your local health department right away so they can look into the school’s policies further. 

Lead by Example 

Young children truly do learn by watching their parents. As the school year gets closer, demonstrate positive behaviors at home that your child should mimic as they go back to school. Focus on handwashing, how to interact while maintaining a safe distance, and mask wearing. The more your child experiences these things at home, the easier they will be for them to follow at school. 

For more tips on keeping your child safe during the 2020 school year, visit the CDC website. Before the first day of school, visit your local urgent care center for a back to school physical and COVID-19 testing for both you and your child! The key to keeping your child as healthy as possible this year is preparing before they ever enter the classroom.