Nov 30, 2021 | Blog
As another year draws to a close and we are faced with having to navigate through a second festive season marred by a pandemic, we need to be mindful of the myriad of feelings that we as well as many people will experience as we celebrate this festive season.
As South Africans enjoyed the eased restrictions that came with level 1, the dark cloud of the dreaded fourth wave, which is predicted to start in a month and stretch into the festive season, is an ever-present reminder of the tumultuous nature of Covid-19. Then as 2 years of various levels of isolation and restriction draws to a close, we need to remember that there are many people who lived a lonely existence before Covid-19, and that this holiday could be especially painful for them.
Many parents who are not able to take leave or have care givers at home to supervise children during the coming school holidays, will be wracked with concern and anxiety.
The job losses due to Covid-19 and the July looting, will surely impact affected families with people stressed at a season with little to celebrate. Unlawful activity which usually rises around Christmas holiday time may soar with criminals taking advantage of the high levels of unemployment as an excuse for their criminal behaviour, leaving my people vulnerable and on edge.
The risk of depression and yes, even suicide as children struggle after 2 years of disrupted education, especially this year’s matriculants who will be feeling enormous pressure to produce good results. Added to this possible fear that the results will not allow them to pursue the study path they envisaged or meet the expectations of their parents.
Faced with the above, we can all benefit from tips for coping with the holidays:
- As we move into this festive season, it is comforting to know that we have a fighting chance in the form of a vaccination. However, being vaccinated does not mean that we should let our guard down. We still need to follow the safety regulations, i.e., sanitise/wash hands regularly, wear a mask, and maintain social distancing.
- Talk to/connect with friends and family. If we are struggling with sadness during the holidays, we need to be honest. It helps those around us understand what we are going through. Open communication will also help us understand each other.
- Spread Christmas Cheer to the less fortunate, the people that need our help may be closer to home than we realise. So, if we need help, we must not be afraid to ask – there are people who have the ability and means available to lend a helping hand. Church groups, after school care programmes, soup kitchens, community outreach programmes, are just a few examples.
- Take care of ourselves and our family. Prioritize what we know works best for us and our family. Pay attention to our mental health needs and be open to new self-care strategies. Let us not be too hard on ourselves or our family, especially children. They too have had their fair share of dealing with unprecedented schooling challenges.
- Making it through the past two years is an achievement on its own. If the academic outcome is not what we or our children hoped for, let us try again. What our children have experienced is not isolated but something that many scholars around the world have had to deal with.
- Let us find joy on our own terms―Do what matters most to us! Set realistic expectations and limits for ourselves and others, and do not be afraid to say “no” when something is outside the boundaries we set. Less worrying about the money we do not have for the things we do not really need and rather being grateful for all that we do have, riches that money cannot buy.
- Be happy! Be content! Life is a gift that should be cherished. For our peace of mind and general well-being let us focus on the spirit of the season😊
Oct 22, 2021 | Blog
Exam time has always been nerve-wracking for children, but more so for their parents! Covid-19 has notched the level of nervousness into overdrive. Extended periods of school closure, uncertainty around school holidays, the rotational system for school attendance and on-line lessons… the pressure and subsequent stress on our children has been unlike anything families have had to face before.
As a parent I am constantly mindful of the support my sons need at this time. Thinking on ways to help my youngest, in his first year of high school and my older in grade 12 has consumed much of my thoughts over the past months. Creating an environment at home that is stress free, during a pandemic, has been no easy task. Under normal circumstances matric is a year characterised by pressure, and angst. So, you can just imagine that having a matriculant at home this year has left my family feeling somewhat frazzled!
Having worked for many years with children at our centre, I am fortunate to have picked up some useful tips along the way. Younger children for instance benefit from structure and practical assistance, while older children need encouragement and support.
These are some suggestions on how to help your child prepare for his/her exams:
- Encourage them to draw up a study timetable. Children need this structure and a clear routine. When they know what needs to be done, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed and tend to be more focused.
- Stress can trigger a range of other emotions. Children, irrespective of age, need emotional support. At times just listening and acknowledging their emotions shows support and understanding of what they are going through. This will encourage them.
- Preparing for exams should not mean studying 24/7. Adequate rest and healthy snack breaks are essential if they are to keep focused and less stressed. Its easier to learn, understand and memorise work in sections rather than trying to cram for long hours before the exam.
- Working through old exam papers and revision exercises have proved to be effective. Children are then prepared for how the exam paper is set out and the way in which questions are asked. They need to stop and look at the mark allocation per question and decide how much time should be spent on each question. Whist this is helpful to children in higher grades, children in senior primary can also benefit.
- When children begin to panic because they are struggling to understand the work, it is helpful to reassure them that they can call on assistance. Many schools provide extra lessons, there are subject tutors for hire, a study buddy is helpful as is joining a study group. Drawing on these resources can help build confidence and develop a better understanding in the subjects he/she needs assistance in.
- Finally – This may be easier said than done because many of us have full time jobs but testing your child on sections learnt is helpful. It allows for encouraging words and helps assess those areas that need additional focus. Helping your child break things down makes concepts easier to grasped and understand.
Good luck – Keep your eye on the end goal and breath😊
Oct 21, 2021 | News
Weeks without being able to go to school during 2020 – and then the rotational system for school attendance that was introduced when schools finally opened again – have highlighted the learning challenges of our children.
Although these challenges existed before the pandemic, reduced face-to-face teaching has compounded the problem. At DCYCC, we introduced an academic support programme last year, and this identified reading and writing as the main areas where most of our children struggle.
Thanks to HSBC Bank, and many other donors who responded so positively to our appeal, we received the necessary funding to provide educational and emotional assessment and treatment for the most critical cases.
Oct 21, 2021 | News
Exciting times, as old tiles and sanitaryware are removed from our bathrooms, and new spaces created to create beautiful modern ablutions facilities for the kids!
We are so grateful to the German Embassy for their incredible donation towards our Covid-19 risk reduction need, which has enabled us to make a start on upgrading ablution facilities and isolation rooms.
With the basic guidelines and preventative measures necessary to protect children and staff against Covid-19, came the realisation that our isolation rooms and old ablution facilities simply weren’t good enough. A risk assessment was done and a number of areas were identified as risk areas. With finances already stretched to the limit, we were not able to plan the necessary upgrades, until the German Embassy stepped in. Thank you for your caring and generous support.
Oct 19, 2021 | News
Back in 2019 we received notice that the HWSETA was offering our child and youth care workers an opportunity to improve their qualification. In addition, we were able to extend the training for the practical section of the qualification to another 13 unemployed learners.
Then along came Covid-19 … wreaking havoc with the timeline for this training. However, our trainees persevered and will complete the Level 5 Qualification in Child Care by the end of this year.
As we worked with the HWSETA to provide both employed and unemployed learners with the best possible learning environment, a relationship developed that has resulted in the HWSETA entrusting the coordination of another Level 5 qualification training programme to us. This programme will be available to 50 employed child and youth care workers from other Child Care Centres in and around Durban.
We are very excited by this partnership and are grateful for the opportunity to contribute towards the professional development of child and youth care workers.
