Back to School

Whether your child is learning from home, in the classroom, or a combination of both this school year, we support you in your decision. We recognize the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to families who are balancing school, work and many other responsibilities.

We’ve enlisted the help of McMaster Children’s Hospital staff and doctors to share some practical information to support families during the transition back-to-school. Our experts have created some informal videos for you to use as a resource during this unusual time.

In this section of our website, you’ll find a series of videos on a variety of topics including infection prevention and control, child and youth mental health, and navigating the start of school for children with autism.

McMaster Children’s Hospital is open, providing both in-person and online appointments for our community during the pandemic. We are here when you need us. We wish you all the best this school year.

– Bruce Squires, President of McMaster Children’s Hospital

Click a video to play.

Top 5 infection prevention tips

General masking tips

COVID-19 risk to children

Illustration of two people wearing masks, with a question mark in between them.

Can children spread COVID-19?

Talking to children about COVID-19

Radical acceptance

Role modelling

Challenging unhelpful thoughts

Taking control during times of change

An illustration showing a salad, a child running, and a cell phone with a do-not-use symbol. Text: Back to school - Tips to avoid the cycle of anxiety

Avoiding the cycle of anxiety

Coping with uncertainty

Managing school-related anxiety

Autism & returning to school

An illustration of a child wearing a facemask, with two other masks in the background, one showing a smile decoration. Text: Back to school - Autism & wearing a mask

Masking for children with autism

An illustration of two boys wearing masks, with an arrow between them showing two metres. Text "Back to school: Autism & Physical Distancing"

Physical distancing for children with autism

An illustration showing a child using a step-stool to reach a sink and wash their hands. Text: "Back to school: Autism & handwashing and sanitizing"

Hand-washing for children with autism

An illustration of a child in a wheelchair outside of a school. Text: Back to school - mobility issue,s orthotics and wheelchairs

Mobility issues, orthotics & wheelchairs

An illustration of two people - a child with a thermometer, an adult with a face mask and shield. Text: COVID 19 test for children, BC Children's Hospital

COVID-19 testing for children

Youth and doctor with letters Q&A in between

Back to school Q&A

Wearing a mask, hand washing, and physical distancing are important safety measures to decrease your risk of contracting COVID-19. This school year is unique and we all have to do our part to prevent the spread of the virus so we can have a safe return to the classroom for all of our children.