Support for families to prepare their child with disability for a return to school after lockdown

With the news of lockdown lifting and children returning to the classroom, many parents across New South Wales will be thinking about what this means for their child and how they can prepare them for the transition back to school.

While this news may be exciting for some, many parents, including parents of children with disability, may be nervous about their child’s return to school and be curious as to how they can support them to ensure a smooth transition back to the classroom.

For parents and carers of children with disability, it’s not as simple as dropping their child at school. A transition back to the classroom requires preparation, not just for the child but for the whole family.

Reframing Disability has launched a series of resources and live events to address families concerns and share strategies they can implement to prepare their child for a positive return to the classroom.

Live Q&A each Tuesday in October at 12pm – 12:30pm

We know that families have many questions about their child’s return to school.

Join our weekly live and interactive Q&A with Julie Cowmeadow, Speech Pathologist, and Kate Ford, Educator and parent of a child with disability.

Each week they will discuss what the latest announcements from the NSW Government mean for the return to school for children with disability. They will also answer pre-submitted questions from families, and if time permits, answer questions during the Q&A.

This Q&A event will be streamed live on the Reframing Disability Facebook page on Tuesday’s throughout October from 12-12:30pm. The recording of the Q&A will be published on the Reframing Disability website each Wednesday in October.

Do you have a question to be answered? Submit it by 8pm on Sunday’s using this form: https://forms.office.com/r/mSMZYrLZVj

Julie and Kate share strategies that families can implement to prepare their child for a positive return to the classroom.

The topics cover:

• working in partnership with the school
• the COVID safe school environment
• re-establishing home routines
• rebuilding friendships and peer connections
• making the decision to return your child to school.

Find these resources on our website: reframingdisability.com.au/resources/return-to-school-after-lockdown/

From our friends at Wonderchums

The Wonderchums are tele-porting all the way from Wonder World to bring your kids a few supportive video messages about settling back into school. These magical and diverse little creatures will help your child understand why teachers might be wearing masks, how to best protect themselves and give them some Wonderchums encouragement to be as brave as they can when saying goodbye to you at the gate.

Find them at this link: wonderchums.com/back-to-school-after-lockdown