"I didn't recognise them"

When my eldest son was in Foundation he turned 6 and had his birthday party on Cup Day. This was a celebration he was very excited about and looked forward to. When everyone arrived at the park my son hid behind me. He didn't speak to anyone. My mother and myself engaged the other children with balloons and slowly my son warmed up and began interacting with his friends. My husband and I simply thought he had been feeling shy.
It was not until we began the drive home that my son spoke about it. He told us that he didn't recognise his friends. I was confused and asked him to explain. He said that he didn't recognise their faces and their clothes. He realised when they began talking and playing who they were.

Children do not see things the way that we do. They do not recognise people out of context or with significant changes (haircuts etc). Nor do they automatically remember patterns.
For some children returning onsite will be very exciting. For others they will be worrying about having forgotten things - teachers names, faces and voices, friends and peers faces and names, where to eat, play and meet parents. 

Please do not assume your child is either excited or worried. Have a discussion with them about experiences where you have had to relearn habits and experiences. Talk about where you will meet them after school and how they'll go home. Remind them to ask their teacher for support if they have forgotten something and to never be embarrassed to clarify their thinking or wondering.

I'd like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to you all for your amazing work in juggling supervising remote learning with your employed work, with having restrictions changing and moving and remaining cheerful and supportive. As parents you have met every challenge and modelled exceptional adulting. I feel so fortunate to be part of such a grace filled and blessed community.