For kids growing up in the northern and eastern parts of the country, there are no two words more magical than "snow day." For anyone not lucky enough to experience one for themselves, it's exactly what it sounds like: A day where school (and even some work) is canceled because the roads are all but shut down due to inclement weather. Kids bundle up, ditch their school worries, and romp around in the snow.
But evidently, even that sliver of joy is being taken away from some kids thanks to the 2020 pandemic and the onset of virtual learning.
And honestly? It's B.S.
And this is coming from someone who (and I cannot stress this enough) loathes snow.
While I absolutely cannot stand it as an adult, I remember the wonder of snow days. When we heard our school called on the radio or saw it scroll at the bottom of the news screen, the relief we felt that we could snuggle back into bed or run outside and play instead of slogging off to school was immeasurable. It was a random treat the universe bestowed upon us, and in the year where random treats have been few and far between, is there really a need to take that away, too?
Because the truth is, a snow day is just a climate-related way to say a mental health day, and it's one students and teachers desperately need this year.
And it is one of the few times a kid gets a genuine break throughout the school year.
Philadelphia teacher Nicole Marie explained why that is to CafeMom.
"The beauty of a snow day is that it’s a real break for the students," she says. "Yes they have weekends, but teachers assign work. A last-minute snow day decreases a teacher's ability to create content/assignments so the students get an actual break — a day with no worries."
And it is something many feel is especially important for younger students.
"While I understand that many students will fall behind because of virtual learning, students need to still be able to have a childhood," kindergarten teacher Aigner Hannah tells CafeMom. "Not only that, students (especially younger students), will not be able to focus because of the 'snow falling,' Teachers try to express the importance of virtual learning and how it compares to 'school' but if you are taking away snow days, what are we really saying? If we never had virtual [school] then we would have snow day. Then we still should. This is the reason why so many kids grow up so fast — because we don’t let them have the childhood that they deserve."
It's also something that many feel is psychologically beneficial.
"Kids need time away from demand tasks like school and chores, time to just be kids," Dr. Matthew Zakretski, father and clinical psychologist who works with neurodiverse kids, tells CafeMom. "Our increasingly rigid adherence to academic 'progress' for kids at whatever cost is hurting our kids socially, emotionally, and developmentally. For all of the groups of people who have taken on increased burdens during the COVID-19 period, I think that we have neglected how hard distance learning has been on our kids. They miss their friends, playing together, and having down time. They need to have things like snow days as part of the social contract of attending school; you do what you're asked and you can have days of release and relief when the weather allows. It is a valued and necessary treat."
Not only that, but it can possibly help restore a bit of, well, sanity back for kids.
"Kids crave consistency and COVID has been a big lesson in inconsistency for us all, but imagine what it must feel like to a child’s mind when it feels so chaotic in all of our (adult) minds," Dr. Molly Marcus, clinical psychologist emphasizes to CafeMom. "It might seem silly but the consistency of a snow day, a day kids look forward to and get excited about, is important in what is such an inconsistent world right now. It’s not like a weekend. It’s different. It’s special. And our kids deserve to have something they can rely on and expect."
And frankly, it's something that could give parents a little peace of mind, too.
Nikki Urbanski, a school-based therapist for high school students and the mom of a "struggling" elementary school student, tells CafeMom that kids simply need just a little hope.
"I can tell you these kids need something to look forward to, some pure joy. Whether it’s looking forward to playing in the snow or just enjoying a day off, these kids need something. Consider it a mental health day"
As a self proclaimed snow-Grinch even I can see the value in a good old fashioned snow day.
This year has robbed us of making so many happy traditions, but it has helped us create special memories together. How many times are we going to get a chance to play with our kids in the snow because we are actually home together? It seems like a terribly wasted opportunity to let it go by without trying to find some joy in all of it.
Even I'll likely get a kick out of layering up and running around with my son in the snow, and I genuinely hope all the kids who have snow in their regions can, too.
