Q. I am curious if there are other parents who are considering delaying starting school because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? My daughter is four and one-half-years-old, and we were going to start her in a Pre-K program in August, and then place her in kindergarten in 2021. At this point, we’re thinking we should keep her home another year and then start her in kindergarten as planned. That would mean that she would have had no previous exposure to a school setting. What are your thoughts on this?

One of the concerns of the panel was: What kind of year would the girl have if she stayed home?

“The question is what kind of environment should a child be in a year before kindergarten?” panelist Denise Continenza asked.

“In pre-school, children develop a curiosity to learn. They learn through play and develop motor skills,” said Continenza.

“What is the parent going to do during the year at home?” panelist Wanda Mercado Arroyo asked.

“How do you provide important play if there is only one child? How well structured is that year going to be so that when the child goes to preschool she will be prepared for the next level?” asked Mercado Arroyo.

Panelist Pam Wallace suggested that the mother meet with teachers at the preschool where she would be sending her daughter. “What sanitizing and other steps will the school be taking to keep their students safe?” Wallace asked.

“Parents are ready for their kids to go back to school,” panelist Chad Stefanyak said, citing a local borough survey that showed that well more than 50 percent of respondents approved opening the schools.

Stefanyak added that in terms of the need for students to return to the classroom, he didn’t have as much concern about a child beginning preschool versus a third grader going into fourth grade. “That’s a whole different ball game,” said Stefanyak.

Most schools are combining in-person classroom learning with remote-learning, panelist Mike Daniels said.

“Summertime is important for parents to regroup. That might include looking into curriculum and resources the parent might use at home, as well as networking with other preschool parents on how to provide some safe socialization for their kids,” said Daniels.

Stefanyak said school districts have given their teachers time to work together on the coming year’s curriculum. “The schools get it. They will be focused on social and emotional elements, and won’t be as concerned about reading comprehension. It won’t be about spending time reviewing as it will be introducing new material,” Stefanyak said.

This week’s panel: Pam Wallace, program coordinator, Project Child, a program of Valley Youth House; Mike Daniels, LCSW, Psychotherapist, Denise Continenza, extension educator; Wanda Mercado-Arroyo, educator and former school administrator; and Chad Stefanyak, school counselor.

Have a question? Email: projectchild@projectchildlv.org

The Family Project is a collaboration of the Lehigh Valley Press Focus section and Valley Youth House’s Project Child.

The Times News, Inc., and affiliates (Lehigh Valley Press) do not endorse or recommend any medical products, processes, or services or provide medical advice. The views of the columnist and column do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lehigh Valley Press. The article content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified health-care provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.