NPC Helpline Officers are continuing to respond to parents queries by email during this time.
We will post these Frequently Asked Questions here, which will hopefully be of assistance to many parents.
Full question text as follows: My daughter is due to start primary school in September. I am worried that because her preschool is closed at the moment that she will be missing out on activities that might have helped her prepare for her transition into primary school. Are there ways in which I can support her from home?
The transition from pre-school to primary school is an important milestone for your child and for you. It’s great that you are thinking about ways that you can support your daughter, and don’t worry there is plenty of time.
As you have mentioned pre-schools do lots of activities with children to help prepare them for the move to primary school. These preparations will have taken place in a very natural way all the way through the year. For example many pre-schools will encourage children to be independent and to make small age appropriate decisions for themselves so this is something you can continue with and are maybe already doing? We also have lots of ideas that you can use at home in our online “Transitions to Primary School” video which can be found here http://www.npc.ie/news-events/early-years-video.
The key to the success of the Parents' Association (PA) is the same as when schools are open, essentially good communication between the PA and the Principal. In the current situation, that might need to start with contacting the Principal to see what will work best and then work out between you how best you can most effectively support the school and the parents at this time.
What means of communication does your committee currently use? Could you continue to use this now?
Most Parents' Associations will be looking at issues around communicating with the parent body, the type and amount of schoolwork given to the children, ways to communicate with teachers and support for parents with their children's learning at/during this unprecedented time. You might find that conducting a survey of parents would be a good way to get the views of parents. If technology and internet access are not a problem, you might find SurveyMonkey helpful.
Where it is possible to continue the work of the Parents' Association ,that work should be focussed on partnership with the school to support the parents in supporting their children's learning.
Children often try to make sense of their world through imaginary play. You have probably seen children dress up as different characters, take on the voice and mannerisms of particular people and “act out” characters. All of this is a normal and important part of every child’s development. This is sometimes referred to as “The batman effect” (children feel stronger or more confident taking on the role of someone / something they see as strong or powerful). They can safely try out the role of the teacher, doctor, mammy, daddy etc and sometimes put themselves or their teddy, dolls or animals into different acting scenarios.
This type of play is really good fun for children, where they can often have a good laugh and entertain the household. Sometimes also imaginary play helps children explore their feelings, helps them practice using new or familiar words, it can also help them explore fears that they might have, whether they are conscious of them or not. If this is the type of 'talking to himself' you are referring to in your question, then it would appear to be a normal part of your child’s development.
In the current situation, where life is not normal for most of us, including children, you might find that your child may be using imaginary play more than usual or possibly you are noticing it more? During this time, we have an opportunity as parents to stay connected to our children while at the same time balancing it with giving them the space to play by themselves and 'explore their world' safely.
Could you ask your child about the play and, if he would like, could you join in by being the audience or acting out one of the characters? Or could you ask him what happened next? This could allow you to stay connected to him and try to figure out if there is anything in particular worrying him. Spending time with him in this way could give you an opportunity to listen and support him. If you are still concerned about your child's play, would you consider talking to a family member, friend or to your GP?
You might also be interested in watching Paul Gilligan of St Patrick`s Mental Health Services who NPC asked to give advice to parents around supporting their children`s mental health at this time. You can access it by following this link.
Managing our children's screentime can be a challenge at the best of times but it can be particularly challenging, when we are all at home together. Some parents may find it worrying and feel guilty about the amount of time that their child is spending online during these school closures.
Talking with your child, no matter how young, and together agreeing a new set of rules around screentime and the use of online devises at home, is an important thing to revisit or begin to do at this time.You may agree different sets of rules for each child, depending on their age.
There is a difference between passive screen time and active screentime. Active screen time is where we can learn to explore, find out new things, connect with our family and friends, have fun and be creative.Passive screen time, while not all bad, might not be as engaging or focused on a task to be completed.
Most of us can struggle to find a balance at the moment. Asking your child how she/he is finding it, could give him/her an opportunity to tell you how they are feeling.It could also be chance for your child to make suggestions of how they might manage finding a balance themselves, between their online lives and other activities that they are engaged in throughout the day. It may help also to acknowledge to your child how difficult it must be for them not to be able to meet their relatives and friends face to face.
The most important thing is to have regular conversations with your child and also, if you could look for opportunities where you and your child could do things together online, for example, your child might be able to help you with a task or show youhow to do something online?
We have some resources http://www.npc.ie/Daily-Edition-landing-page which might give you and your child some fun activities ideas during the Easter break.
You might find some useful hints or tips on our online freely accessible Internet Safety training course for parents that can be accessed here: http://www.npc.ie/training-and-resources/training-we-offer/internet-safety
Sometimes holiday times can be quite challenging, especially when parents and families are out of their normal routine, not least during these times when we have all been at home together for a few weeks now.
While there is no hard and fast rule, and every household is different, it might be helpful to change the schoolwork routine with your child for the next two weeks of the Easter Holidays.Your child having a break from schoolwork might be even be more important during this period of school closure.
You might like to take this opportunity to encourage your child to play more and or engage in fun activities with your child throughout these two weeks. We are working with the renowned story teller Niall de Burca to give you a chance to engage in some story telling with your children. Full details are on our website There are some fun activities on our Daily Edition which you or your child might also be interested in trying. http://www.npc.ie/Daily-Edition-landing-page
Also Pairic Clerkin CEO from the Irish Primary Principals Networkhas asked that all children would 'fly the flag for our frontline heroes in this short video: http://www.npc.ie/news-events/flags-for-frontline-heros
He also has some usefuladvice for us parents of primary school children for the Easter holiday period http://www.npc.ie/news-events/a-message-for-parents-from-the-ceo-of-the-irish-primary-principals-network
Paul Gilligan CEO.of St Patrick’s Mental Health Service has some useful advice for parents and children. You can watch his video’s here: http://www.npc.ie/news-events/how-to-we-protect-our-childrens-mental-health-at-this-time-paul-gilligan-ceo-st-patricks-mental-health-services
We hear that there is a wide variety of work that schools are sending home at the moment. Some schools are sending home a lot of work and resources for children and parents to choose from. Some schools are sending home less schoolwork and others are encouraging children to play and learn at home. It is difficult to know what is the correct amount. It seems that even schools are learning at this time too!
Your child’s mental and physical health and your own health are most important. Having a variety of activities to do every day, from a bit of school work, helping out around the house, playing, exercise inside the house or outside, when possible, and watching TV can help. This is not the time to be putting yourselves under pressure, so do what you can and if possible talk, text or email your child’s teacher about any particular problems they might be experiencing.
You can also email us here in the NPC helpline@npc.ie
Pairic Clerkin from the Irish Primary Principals Network gave us some very reassuring advice which you might like to watch click here to see this video
Also watch our daily exercise routine “Don’t sit, keep fit” with Siobhan and check out our daily fun activities for your child to do.
Children learn in different ways and not all of them involve traditional schoolwork. Try not to worry because there are lots of new opportunities for your child to learn new things during this time. It doesn’t matter what age your child is, there are plenty of ways that they are learning at home during these weeks, maybe without even realising it!
You might like to think of all the different experiences that your child now has at home. Things like their learning through play, physical exercise, helping out around the house, learning how to plan their day themselves and maybe even learning through watching TV or being online.
Below is an example of possible learning that children may get at home.
For younger children it could involve sorting cutlery into the drawer and counting while doing so, this helps with their maths, matching and sequencing. For older children it might be helping with cooking, this can help with reading, weighing, counting and timing. Also, at home, there are opportunities for reading instructions, labels and signs, which can help children of all ages to learn. Board games can give children opportunities to read instructions, explain them to other members of the family and learn through playing.
The main message is that you as a parent are not expected by the school to be your child's 'class teacher' as well as their parent. You know your child best, so trust your instincts when it comes to the amount and balance of schoolwork, play, helping out around the house and exercise that they are doing each day. What is key is that children have a variety and balance of activities to do. If you can, try and notice the learning there is in the ordinary activities that your child is involved in throughout the day.
Also remember the Home School Hub on RTE 2 at 11am each weekday morning.
You can email us here at the NPC: helpline@npc.ie
You might also like to watch the videos from the link below, where Paul Gilligan, CEO, St Patrick's Mental Health Services, advises us on to how to protect our children's mental health at this time.
Pairic Clerkin from the Irish Primary Principals' Network gave some very reassuring advice for parents too.
