Bal Swan Children’s Center Adapts Groundbreaking Approaches to Inclusive Learning in COVID Reality

Bal Swan Children’s Center Adapts Groundbreaking Approaches to Inclusive Learning in COVID Reality By Allison Eichner

As many of us feel we are entering uncharted waters heading back to school this fall, I think we can find peace in knowing teachers and school faculty are doing all they can to keep kids safe. Bal Swan Children’s Center is no different, with plans for a socially distant fall while still promoting inclusivity among students.

The start of the school day looks drastically different for teachers, students, and parents. Before entering the building, students are dropped off by their parents, temperature checked, then taken inside by a teacher. Bal Swan’s Executive Director Debbie Kunz said their drop-off procedure is one of the biggest adaptations they are asking parents to make.

Parents can help staff make this process smoother by taking their child’s temperature before coming to school and “making good-byes quick and being prepared to answer the health screening questions.” Kunz also advised parents to start “affirming the children they can adapt to this new normal. Talking about this with the child will help the child come to school less anxious and more prepared.” Children also have to wear a face covering to enter the building, so families can practice mask wearing at home to help kids get used to having it on for extended periods of time.

Teachers are also getting creative with new strategies to explain and encourage the changes happening at school to students. Bal Swan often uses “social stories” to explain new concepts to students. These stories, paired with pictures, help introduce ideas from how to play with friends to what to do if they get separated from a parent. Now, teachers will introduce social stories about wearing a mask, social distancing, and how to stay safe. Although, Kunz is not worried about students adapting and learning new school practices. “So far, the children have been teachers to us!” she said, “They are so adaptable and resilient. They are internalizing the message to socially distance and are very compliant with face coverings.”

At Bal Swan, socially distanced play looks very similar but with an individualized approach. Students will have their own “art tub” full of supplies. They still explore, create, and play at the same table as their friends, just without sharing Play-Doh and markers. Students are also going to have their own hula hoops for group activities to encourage social distancing. These will help give students a physical guideline without it feeling like a punishment. Teachers are also adopting extra language to communicate

effectively with students. Many children rely on facial expressions to make meaning, and with everyone wearing masks teachers lose that mode of communication. To combat that, teachers are making an extra effort to explain things multiple ways and utilize body language to bridge any communication gaps.

Bal Swan is grateful for continued support from parents and community members and, because their school year is looking a little different, their areas for support look a little different too. Debbie Kunz said the school is accepting hand sanitizer and disinfectant or monetary donations to buy cleaning supplies. Much of their custodial attention has been shifted inside, so the school is looking for volunteers to help with weed pulling, landscaping, and lawn mowing. To support the school, businesses and individuals are invited to sponsor or attend Bal Swan’s two major fundraisers for the year, The Bal Swan Golf Tournament and the Bal Swan Ball.

For more information on how to donate to Bal Swan Children’s Center, to volunteer, or to attend one of their fundraising events, please visit www.balswan.org.