With the spread of COVID19, our daily lifestyle, activities and routines are changing day by day. Among the first measures taken by Serbia was the closure of all educational institutions. This has posed a new challenge for parents – finding the most appropriate way to align their responsibilities with the needs of the children and organizing their time at home.
The parents of children with disabilities, who need an individual approach to mastering the curriculum, are in a particularly difficult situation. The difficulties these children face are reflected, first of all, in the difficult adoption, both of daily life skills and in the acquisition of school knowledge. Therefore, it is of great importance that parents and teachers pay special attention to these children during the newly emerged situation, so that there is no setback in children’s overall development.
Therefore, we bring you some basic recommendations on how to make your children easier / more organized in isolation.
1) Establish a routine
As the most important advice to parents of children with disabilities, experts point out the creation of a regular schedule of daily activities in conditions of home isolation. Adjusting to new, unfamiliar circumstances creates unease for your child. Therefore, in addition to establishing a routine in performing day-to-day activities at home, it is also necessary to make a modified / customized version of a typical school schedule. Make a plan to accurately determine when your child will wake up, go to sleep, take meals, study, play, do other activities… Follow a schedule to help your child most adequately adjust to the new situation.
2) Communicate with teachers
Keep in mind that educators / teachers / teachers have been provided with detailed guidance and prepared programs for children learning by IOP. Contact the institution your child attends to agree on a way to work with your child. If possible, communicate with teachers who have worked with your child on a daily basis so far. Ask them for advice, contact them if you experience difficulties while working with your child, and report back on the results.
3) Seek additional support
During the state of emergency, an expert team from the Association of Citizens of the OSMEH Education Center is available to all parents of children with disabilities. For any information, questions, additional support or advice, you can also contact us by smile at smile@gmail.com or by phone at 060/60 16210.
4) Believe in yourself!
The primary task of you as a parent is to care for and educate your child. Organize your child’s education in isolation in a way that most suits your child and you. Deal with anxiety, fears, anxiety and insecurity. Keep in mind that, at this point, it is important for you and your children to be healthy and to overcome the current situation without consequences. Believe in yourself and your child! #osmechism #obsides
Children with disabilities and distance learning
