schools across the country returned to in person instruction. Last
year, many families opted to stick with the virtual instruction or
transition to home schooling. And for them. The start of this new
school year is bringing with it a new range of anxieties.
Some students and even their parents. My daughter just went back
to school. Today. She is now 1/6 grader taking to social media like
Tiktok to share their stories. Kimberly Back of flat Gap, Kentucky
last year homeschooled her two girls, second grader Rowan and ninth
grader Delilah because she says she was unsure of the school policies
and covid protocols. For Delilah, That means making one of the most
nerve wracking academic transitions.
After years spent away how has it been so far?
It's been good.
Uh huh.
I've been having a lot of fun with my classes. Do you have any anxieties
given that you hadn't been in school in person for at least two years?
Maybe more than that. Yes, may lose just like it was like talking
to people because you used to be just like a Google meet for like
a little bit or texting.
Not like long social interactions in Kimberley for your youngest
Rowan, who's now going into second grade. What has it been like for
her? I'm sure there's a number of things that I think a lot of parents
would take for granted that kids pick up in school that she might
not have been exposed to.
Absolutely. It's been sort of full throttle fun mode for her, and
it's been interesting to see, you know, sort of all the quirks that
kids learn in kindergarten. She's doing that with, you know, a couple
of years of maturity, So in a way, some things have been easier.
Um, but, you know, she's also making these you know, in person connections
with her peers for the first time, so every day when she comes home,
it's you know, talking about meeting new friends and, you know
We would go together like two playgrounds and parks and things. But
you know, this is her first time having all of those interactions
with people her age at school, so that's been a very welcome experience
for her
was going to ask you to what? What advice you would have for for
parents who are helping their kids face any anxieties they might
have about returning to school After now, what 2.5 years of this
pandemic.
I think the most important factor is communication and making sure
to check in with your with your kids. And I think that advice can
apply to all grade levels, You know, talk to them about those in
person anxieties. Those fears, you know, keep it two way line of
communication with them. And, you know, share your own fears within
reason, you know to talk about that. You know you can be open with
each other. Um, if something's going on or some things concerning,
you know that they can come to you and talk to you and then also
Be sure to utilize school resource is, you know all the teachers
and administrators are there to
You know, love the kids and embrace them again. They're just as excited
to be back. As you know, the kids are, um and families are so just
keep those lines of communication open
Delilah for other kids who might be going back to school in person
for the first time. Now that you've been back at school for a week
or two, what advice would you give them in facing their anxieties?
Uh, probably just go for it. I mean,
Um, literally. On the first day of school, I was bombarded. I was
kind of like attacked by a friend that I had that I made over the
pandemic, and she basically brought me over to her whole friend group.
And it turned out that it was like some people who I recognize, like
one cables that from my elementary school
Others she's talking about before so
Just it was exciting to just go for it. Who knows? Kimberly and Delilah
back of flat Gap, Kentucky. Thanks so much for being with us. We
appreciate it.