In both conversations with parents and over social media I have heard and read different concerns about the amount of time our schools are or are not spending on establishing social emotional learning this fall. We are all anxious for our students to get back to learning and to make up for lost time. But before we can do that we need to look at where our students have been and what they need to get to where. we want them to go.
What do we do about learning loss?
There are foundational skills students need in order to be successful in school and these skills were disrupted by the pandemic as much as academics were. Yes, there was significant academic loss during the pandemic that must be addressed. But if we do not take time to support the underlying skills also impacted by the pandemic we will not be able to make up for the academic loss.
OK, as parents, it may be time for us to all take a deep breath about the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Saying that our children have been through a lot in the last 18 months is an understatement. It started when overnight, their happy classroom communities in 2020 where they felt safe and secure within the established routines and relationships of their classroom were ended abruptly. Most of them never got to re-enter those classrooms or have in-person closure with their school community from that year. The following year they entered into an upside down roller coaster of getting to know teachers and classmates virtually, then in person - and for some, this virtual vs in-person cycle went on throughout the year. The consistency of a solid school routine was shaken. Even this year our children are never sure if they will wake up with a call from the school announcing that they must quarantine for a bit because of an exposure.
This is not to say that those decisions never should have been made. Our kids can be resilient and decisions were made to ensure safety. Now it is our place as parents and educators to support this resiliency as our children re-enter schools.
To do this we must:
Acknowledge what our students have been through. Are they going to be able to easily trust that their teachers and classmates will consistently be there for them when that has not been the pattern over the last 18 months? If not, how do establish a place for them to feel safe, know they belong, and connect with the community despite a historical pattern of uncertainty?
Look at what our students truly need in order to move forward. I have talked to so many parents who were ready for the 2020-2021 school year to be behind them and are looking forward to the progress their children will make this coming school year. Because of the past events we are ready for those kids to make huge academic gains to erase the unsettling progress from the past year. And yet - are our kids ready for that?
While we like to think our children are always ready to learn and become sponges for the information schools teach, we must first acknowledge that in order for our children to become sponges they must first feel safe and secure within the school environment. The relationships they have with teachers and peers as well as how they see themselves fitting into the school community play a critical role in this.
Recognize that learning academic skills requires multiple layers of social-emotional learning. Students cannot learn if they are get easily upset by something that happens and are unable to move on from the incident. No matter how great the teacher’s lesson is, students will not access it if they are unable to remain emotionally calm and regulated. Are they able to work with their peers, have positive conversations with them at lunch and at recess, and play collaboratively together? Are they able to set goals for themselves, monitor their own work habits, and self-reflect on their learning? Can they see their mistakes as areas for growth?
These are foundational skills students need to be successful in school and these skills were disrupted by the pandemic as much as academics were. Yes, there was significant academic loss during the pandemic that must be addressed. But if we do not take time to support the underlying skills also impacted by the pandemic we will not be able to make up for the academic loss.
Give your children’s teachers space this fall to build community and form relationships in the classroom. Ask questions about how the school is addressing the children’s social-emotional learning and pay attention to what language they are introducing to the students. Is it language you can use at home as well, or does it sound similar to something you already say? If so, draw the connection for your children so that they see the relationship between home and school.
If you are in a position where you are becoming concerned about the lack of academic work this early in the year talk to your child’s teacher about what they are doing during the day. My guess is that the teachers are working strategically to create the learning community where your child will be able to thrive throughout the year.
Alternatively, if you are in a position where your are concerned about your child’s academic load this early in the year, ask the school how they are supporting the students’ social-emotional learning after the pandemic. Is there a focus on relationship building, a strong classroom community and a psychological sense of safety within the school? Are they observing students taking academic risks and celebrating a growth mindset?
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