This year schools started online

CIU Faculty of Education, Department of Primary Education, Preschool Education, faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çağla Gür stated that the lesson bell rang online this year and “face-to-face education is on the agenda of the schools as of September 14, but we have an uncertain process just like other countries all over the world”.

Pointing out that it is normal for families to be worried, Gür made recommendations on what can be done especially to adapt children to the process.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gür reminding that firstly parents' attitudes, concerns, and what they say around them affect children, she said, “Negative speech also affects children negatively. Worries and panics are emotionally reflected in children”.

Noting that anxiety and stress negatively affect the brain and thus learning, Gür explained that this causes academic failure.

It can continue in the future
It was stated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gür that stress also causes the child to behave more aggressively and get angry in social terms, and added, “it is true that uncertainties can cause anxiety, but it is important to explain this correctly to children; that there are alternatives, the important thing is to use the right method at the right time and children can be raised in any way”.

Speaking about distance education, which was decided to be implemented initially, Gür said that the majority of children get used to the distance education system and if problems such as internet access and lack of access to the online system are solved, distance education can be used efficiently to reinforce education in the future.

Pay attention to accessing inappropriate content
Recalling that online education was started at schools due to the necessary measures for COVID-19 and Gür informed that face-to-face education will start on September 14 with the approval of the relevant ministry, “However, to complete the online education process successfully, it is necessary to raise awareness of parents and children, and to use distance education consciously. It is important to do whatever is necessary to ensure that children use computers and similar technologies for educational purposes, do not spend all their time with them and prevent them from accessing inappropriate content”.

Noting that there is no prediction about the end date of the pandemic in question, Gür stated that the main thing in this period is that the children are psychologically healthy and strong. The importance of approaching different events to solve problems through different perspectives and using time effectively and efficiently was also highlighted.