Teacher Tom: There Are Plenty of Things to Worry About Right Now: Your Preschooler's Education is Not One of Them

Teacher Tom: There Are Plenty of Things to Worry About Right Now: Your Preschooler's Education is Not One of Them

There Are Plenty of Things to Worry About Right Now: Your Preschooler's Education is Not One of Them

Increasingly it's looking like our children aren't going back to their schools until, at best, May, but quite possibly not until the fall. The world is in crisis, but let me assure you, it's not an educational crisis. We are confronting a health crisis, an economic crisis, a mental health crisis, and even a child care crisis, all of which will leave holes in our society that will take years to refill. But when it comes to the education of our preschoolers, we can and should relax.

Young children were built for this. Young children are the masters of learning from whatever life throws at them. Indeed, from the perspective of a typical preschooler, getting to stay home with the family might be the best thing that's ever happened. Oh sure, right now it might be hard. Right now the kids might be going a bit bonkers, but give it another week or so. Give your family a chance to find a rhythm. Soon the novelty of not having to separate from mom and dad each morning will begin to wear off and you'll get a better sense of your new normal. 

For many parents it's not possible, but those who can, I invite you to step away from your computer, hang up the phone, and just let your child climb all over you. Talk to them for as long as they want to talk. Snuggle as much as they want to snuggle. Play Candyland or read that favorite book, or listen to that special song over and over. Let your child know that for the foreseeable future they don't have to be anxious CONTINUE READING: Teacher Tom: There Are Plenty of Things to Worry About Right Now: Your Preschooler's Education is Not One of Them