Although students are not being taught in the traditional form during this national pandemic, students are still receiving support, but in a nontraditional way. It has been a learning curve for students, parents, and staff on how to transition from an at school to an online learning educational atmosphere. As a School Psychologist, during crisis situations, we play a role to collaborate and support staff, students, and parents. Now that it has been almost three months since the school closures, it gives me time to reflect on my observations during this time. As I facilitate my counseling groups, I like to discuss positives before the negatives or challenges presented, so I will follow that, and start with the positives. How can we see positives during a pandemic? Let’s try. I have noticed that as people have transitioned to working at home, it has opened up a sense of vulnerability. Even CEO’s are shown on video to be interrupted by screaming children while in a meeting with other executives; it makes people more humanized to others.I have noticed a shift in parents, their sense of empathy and how they communicate with their children’s teachers. Another positive is realizing what is truly important in our lives. Many of us are so “on the go” in our day to day’s, it is hard to find moments where we just stop, stay at home, and can think. While we have been quarantined, there has been that opportunity.
What I have found in myself, is the importance of relationships, whether it is with family or friends. We may take advantage of the relationships we have, or may not realize some of our relationships may not be beneficial at all. It is a time to reflect, and minimize the noise of our busy days. During pandemic situations, when unemployment is high, people are losing family members, and the world is in a uncertain circumstance, it is important to keep your mind on the positives, as it is easy to get absorbed into all the negatives. Self-care and self-management have been the key focuses when supporting people during the pandemic. Luckily, there is an abundance of online resources that are great tools in facilitating social-emotional learning for children and for adults. I will provide resources that I have found helpful in the following post.