The New Normal in Preschool

This post was typed out in 2020. Posting out this draft in 2022.

When COVID cases rise in Singapore, the government decided to shut down all schools and we have to switch to online learning. I spent 2 months of the circuit breaker at home. I conducted my lessons online via zoom, regularly take my temperature, and attended curriculum discussion with my colleagues.

Typically, teachers look forward to classroom clean-out day at the end of the year with excited anticipation. Summer is coming, students stop by to thank you for the profound impact you’ve had on their year, and you get to find out where those dropped Cheetos from three months ago actually ended up. But this year was different. Across the country, we posted selfies of our masked selves packing up silent classrooms. The loss wasn’t really real until we stepped foot back in the classroom, and finally sensed what we lost.

Ever since Preschool resumes its operation on 2nd June, the Early Childhood Development Agency have been coming up with initiatives to ensure that we (staff and children), adhere to the safe management measures.

COVID-related activities I conducted in school

1. "I don't like to wear mask" story by Ohkeibykeiko

Since the children stayed home for two months, returning back to school and wearing a mask throughout the day can be very difficult for them. It's no longer the norm they're used to.

2. ABC Shield

Basically print a shield template, get the children to decorate and laminate/cut it. As an activity, I throw balloon that act as germs and the children use the shield to attack the shield away. My students had lots of fun playing it because it's a movement activity which involves balloon.

3. Germ Experiment

This experiment helps to show the children the importance of washing their hands properly with soap and water.

Honorable Mention

COVID-19 ABCs

Taught my students how to sing and dance to this song. In a duration of 3 days, they are able to memorise the dance steps and sing the song. We played this song without fail every single day to remind them of our new normal in class. Current Normal (2022). Crazy how it's been 2 years since the pandemic struck us and it affected everyone, including us working in this industry. For 2 years we struggled, adapted and improved. Social distancing is the new norm, alternate toileting is the new norm, and even mask-wearing is the new norm. Now, we no longer required to social distance in the classroom as long as the children are wearing their mask and sanitise their hands regularly. It's been a tough 2 years of fighting this pandemic, but we survived and someday we can overcome more challenges that will be facing us.