Teaching in the time of Covid-19 .....

Where do I start? Covid-19 has knocked us all out of our ‘normal’ ways of living and none of us know when this might change. When we first went into lockdown, I was a bit stuck as the IAIM did not permit members to teach online because baby massage is meant to be taught in person. However, we have all had to adapt and even the IAIM eventually capitulated and created an abbreviated course that I have been able to teach online. It’s not the same but at least I’ve been able to reach some parents and teach them elements of the massage which I know, from feedback, has been enormously helpful.

I’m now preparing to teach in person again from September but I do so in the full knowledge that I may have to go back online if there is either a local lockdown or a nationwide lockdown. I sincerely hope not but we all have to be prepared for that eventuality.

Preparing for these new courses though is completely different from how I used to teach. We’ll all have to wear face masks, sit 2m away from each other and oils cannot be shared. Windows and doors have to be open to provide ventilation. This is what the HSE states on their website:

“Good ventilation can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, so focus on improving general ventilation, preferably through fresh air or mechanical systems.

“Where possible, consider ways to maintain and increase the supply of fresh air, for example, by opening windows and doors (unless fire doors).”

This means that babies may have to remain fully clothed during a massage session, especially during winter months. This is so different from how I normally teach but, if it keeps us all safe and parents still learn baby massage and all the positivities that go along with that, then it will be worth it until the day when we no longer have to live like this.

At this time, there has been no information on how to work with mobile babies so, for the time being, baby yoga for the crawlers, the cruisers and the toddlers isn’t taking place until such time as more guidance is given out. It’s so sad because toddlers are missing out on all those social activities that help with both their physical and their cognitive development. Online it will have to be …..

How are you doing? What are you missing and what are you looking forward to?