A school is an atmosphere where children learn academics, sharing and caring, values, extra-curricular activities and the very basics in our life of socializing. Schools had been shut since March 2020 in India due to the pandemic. Children had the only opportunity to learn through online which was very stressful as the children missed their peer group. As the condition slowly became normal, the government announced to open the school with strict criteria. Children are the ones who feel over excited to see their friends and teachers after a period of 20 months. 

Children should ensure the following precautionary measures during pandemic time in school:

Mask:

1. Masks should be worn when children come out of the home till they reach home.
2. Children should have extra masks in the bag. Wards should be encouraged to change the mask when it sweats and feels uneasy. The used mask should be disposed properly.
3.  There are a variety of masks available in the market but the most appropriate is N95.
4. Encourage the children not to touch the nose, mouth or eyes unnecessarily.
5.  Masks can be removed at the time of break or lunch when the children eat or drink water but ensure not playing with the mask or exchanging with friends. 
6.  Sometimes children wear the mask below their nose purposely or unknowingly. Parents and teachers should keep counselling.  

Sanitation:

1. Children should sanitize their hands before entering the class rooms.
2. Do not play with the sanitizer or use too many times as it is chemical.
3. Counsel the children not to put their fingers inside their mouth, smell or eat immediately after sanitizing. 

Social Distance:

1. Maintain social distance when seated in the school bus, private transport or in the classroom
2.  When you go to school in your vehicle, sit in one place and hold the hand bar, do not move around in the vehicle and touch everywhere.
3. Avoid touching your friend’s eyes, nose, mouth and mask.
4. Children have various reasons to walk in the school and they must be aware to maintain distance as they walk. 

As parents and teachers it is our duty to counsel the children about strategies followed at the pandemic times when they go to school. Wearing a mask, using sanitizer and social distancing are the main three precautions children should have instilled in their mind.

Here are some Home-School gears and gadgets for your little ones.

Lakshmi Sakthi Alagappan lives in Thanjavur in Tamilnadu, India. She is an  administrative officer at Blossom Public School. She likes reading books, listening to music and surfing.

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