As a father of four boys, Adam Dowie's immediate thought on lockdown six was: how are we going to get the boys through another one?
The Victorian teacher said another lockdown, and the disruptions that come with it, was what everyone in the education sector was dreading.
The last five lockdowns have shown that for for some students, remote learning is a more enjoyable and productive experience than school.
However for most students, it's a challenge on many levels.
"Since lockdown one they (my sons) have become less engaged in online learning and more inclined to have lower levels of motivation," Mr Dowie said.
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"My thoughts are shifting from what they are learning to their overall wellbeing.
"While trying to get your children to attend and complete the set work over the next period of remote learning is important, even in front of this is your wellbeing and that of your families.
"Keep that as their, and your, number one focus."
His advice to parents is: adapt and modify as you see fit.
"If getting them to attend online sessions is creating conflict find a compromise and change things up.
"Find ways to keep their levels of happiness, gratitude and positivity bubbling along and don't stress over the little stuff in regards to online learning."
If getting them to attend online sessions is creating conflict find a compromise and change things up.
- Adam Dowie
Mr Dowie suggested some ways to keep the family engaged:
- Regular exercise of some sort every day or every second day - such as home circuits, walks, counting steps, walking pets - are good ways to stay active and improve self esteem.
- Set the alarm and when it goes off put the feet on the floor.
- Set daily goals in regards to ticking off jobs and activities - the feelings of achievement as things are ticked off are positive reinforcements and encourages you to keep going.
- Teach the children a new skill - cooking a meal, putting on a load of washing, mowing the grass, vacuuming, washing the car, etc are all activities that will help with the running of the house and are also regarded as forms of physical activity.
- Get out the board games and play them with the family.
- Make a list of those jobs that keep getting put off. Delegate and tick them off.
- Avoid long periods on electronic devices. Set breaks and keep a track of screen time.
"There are many other activities that the family will be able to come up with which is specific to your circumstances," Mr Dowie said. "But the key is to make a plan every day which includes online lessons but also dedicated time directed towards activities that are going to look after the wellbeing of your children."
Lockdown trauma emerging in young people
Research on young people in the south-west found while some students thrived in remote learning, many were struggling and even becoming traumatised by lockdowns.
More than 700 young people were interviewed as part of Beyond the Bell's Youth Conversations project which was amended to include changes brought about by the pandemic.
As part of the project, young people were asked what had changed for them since COVID-19, how they adapted to the pandemic and what they had learned about themselves and others during the pandemic.
Young people frequently reported that they did not respond well to remote learning arrangements during lockdowns, with some finding it demotivating and limited because of a lack of social interactions.
The report found the lockdowns were particularly difficult for students living alone or in challenging domestic circumstances.
Deakin University's Professor Damian Blake said trauma emerged as a major theme in the data during a community forum on the report on Thursday.
"Now young people who have been spending time at home where there's a context of family violence for example in a pandemic and also the impact going in and out of lockdown for young people is emerging as a form of trauma," he said.
"The notion of understanding about trauma is absolutely a theme carrying through this year for young people.
"We've got to think of how to support teachers and students, and approaches sensitive to that.
"It's a whole new avenue to explore."
Young people aged 12-19 from Colac Otway, Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool were interviewed.
If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000, visit your nearest hospital emergency department or use any of these helplines:
- Lifeline - 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue Support Service - 1300 22 4636
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800 | www.kidshelpline.com.au
- MensLine Australia - 1300 789 978 | www.mensline.org.au