Learning from lockdown: Using technology to empower parents

Chartered College of Teaching ¬∑ Learning from lockdown: using technology to empower parents   When we first went into lockdown following the spread of COVID-19 I, like many of us, was deeply concerned. What will learning look like with only a computer screen to connect us? How will I reach out to the children in my care? How will we connect without being in the same physical space? How will we all cope? I was especially concerned with how this might look for the 4- and 5-year-olds I teach - the idea of holding their attention and interest through a screen seemed impossible when we were on day one of lockdown! With some time to digest, reflect and focus on what was within my control, I was motivated by the concept of 'post-traumatic growth', whereby people develop resilience and experience positive change following traumatic experiences (Tedeschi and Calhoun, 2004), to try and turn this experience into an opportunity. What might we learn? How might we grow? Could there b