Navigating life during a global pandemic has been challenging for us all. The discontinuous nature of the world we once recognised and the restrictions put on our most basic of pursuits has affected us all, not least our most vulnerable. When you struggle to make sense of the world at the best of times, and routine is your trusted friend, how on earth can you be expected to comprehend life when almost everything you know changes… and then changes a bit more… then returns to ‘nearly normal’… and then almost immediately reverts again… Everyone talking about ‘coronavirus’ in hushed tones but telling you not to worry.
When your senses mean that you are highly alert to your surroundings; your inner alarm always on standby in case you are not safe, your antennae poised to detect any threat; it is mentally and physically exhausting. For those children for whom going to school is a daily struggle, months on end at home last spring and summer were a gift- long lazy days in warm weather in the safety of their own home with their trusted belongings and family. What could be better?
However, much their parents enjoyed the time, appreciating the results of the diminished pressure their child was experiencing; they always knew it would come to an end. Schools would reopen and all that resilience which had taken so much time, effort and energy to gain in the first place would have to be rebuilt meltdown by meltdown, tear by tear. Emotionally draining for all.
The one piece of advice I have been given which I always hold onto is ‘you don’t have to understand how someone else experiences the world, you just need to respect it.’
This could not be truer now and we all need to try to be more understanding.
This piece was written by Lucy Lambert BA (Hons), PGCE, MA Ed.
Lucy is the Area Advisor and owner of Home-School Tutoring Bedfordshire. Lucy has worked in education for 16 years, both as a teacher and a senior leader. She also has 3 young children including a child with additional needs.
Lucy arranges tuition for all subjects and all levels and has a team of fabulous tutors alongside her. However, she is particularly passionate about supporting children with additional needs.
To contact Lucy you can call or email her on:
T:07842 376511
E: lucy.lambert@homeschooltutoring.co.uk