23 Sep Virtually There: Supporting Kids and Identifying Signs of Safety Concerns

By Ben Gies, Policy and Advocacy Director and former Kentucky educator 

With the beginning of another school year, and now in month six of the pandemic, advocates continue to express concern for the mental, physical, and emotional health of children. 

Many children began the new school year with a return to online learning. With that, the need for children to feel connected to their teachers and peers, be emotionally supported, and be monitored for potential signs of neglect or abuse will be paramount to achieving academic success and to their general well-being.  

The educational community must remain vigilant, even from behind the lens of their laptops or tablets, during online instruction.  

To aid this effort, the Face It Movement has developed a new guide to assist teachers in identifying signs of neglect or abuse, establishing safety protocols, and tips to foster a more inclusive and emotionally welcoming classroom designed to meet the needs of the online learning environment.

Virtually There can aid teachers and other educational professionals as they work to best serve children despite the challenges associated with online learning. We must all work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children during this next iteration of online learning and beyond.

Download a printable version of the resource or check out a mobile-friendly version.