Children across the country are returning to school, and this time of year can bring on emotions ranging from excitement to anxiety.. However, there is an additional level of uncertainty this school year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so it is important to take precautions to control the spread of the disease in the classroom, especially with the spread of the highly infectious delta variant..

Johns Hopkins Children's Center (JHCC) experts recommend the following:.

Children aged 12 and over should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Students must wear a mask with at least two layers of dense fabric. Masks should fit well, covering the nose and mouth.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for all students in grades K-12, even those who are fully vaccinated..

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine and wearing a face mask are the two most important strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools and ensure that children learn in person safely..

“Wearing a mask can also prevent the spread of other viruses that could cause them to miss school,” said Kate Connor, JHCC pediatrician, assistant professor of pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine..

Connor recommends that parents check their child's school for compliance with mandatory COVID-19 safety measures. However, she strongly encourages parents to send their children to school wearing masks, even if it's not required..

Along with making sure children are physically protected from COVID-19, parents may have to deal with some of the stress associated with the pandemic, not just the usual shivering back to school.. JHCC experts suggest talking calmly with children about what to expect when they return and point out the precautions that will be taken to keep them safe..

“Like most big changes in daily life, going back to school in person can take some time for kids,” says JHCC child psychologist Andrea Yang, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.. “So, if the kids seem a little depressed or more reserved than usual, talk to them about their thoughts and feelings.”.

Experts also recommend that parents monitor how their children are feeling emotionally by asking simple questions such as “How do you feel about going back to school ” Young adds that if parents notice any deterioration or persistent irritability, anxiety, or sadness, they should consult their child's pediatrician or mental health expert..

“It's also important that parents be aware of their own anxiety about going back to school so they don't pass it on to their children,” she says..

To help ease the transition into the school year, Connor and Young recommend gradually bringing kids back to bed 10 minutes earlier every night a week before school starts.. This way they will be well rested and able to get up earlier..

Finally, JHCC experts say parents should check with their child's pediatrician to make sure regular immunizations, including those required for class attendance, are up to date and annual checks are completed before school starts..

“The last 1-2 years of the pandemic has brought a wave of emotions for both parents and children,” says Connor. “A return to in-person learning is critical to the health, education and overall well-being of students, so we must prepare them as best as we can to safely return to the classroom.”.

medical-heal. en.