As the summer ends and children head back to school, this year looks very different. While some students are heading back into the classroom, many are having to navigate school online. We wanted to provide some tips to help set your child up for success during these unprecedented times.
Understand the expectations. Each school and class are structuring the school day differently online. Make sure you understand when your child is expected to be online and what work they are supposed to do offline. It may be helpful to reach out to your child's teacher if these expectations have not been made clear.
Create a learning space. There are many tips out there about reducing the distractions in your child's learning environment. Limiting distractions while they are trying to learn is important! However, there are a few more things to consider. Your child's bed in their bedroom may be the quietest space for them to work, but it is not a conducive space for learning. Beds should be for sleeping, and it can interfere with sleep patterns when we work where we sleep. Additionally, many children require assistance with staying on task. In these cases, you'll want to find a space in the house where you can discreetly monitor their progress during the day.
Develop a schedule. At the beginning of the pandemic, social media exploded with fancy, color-coded schedules that were overwhelming for many. Keeping to a schedule does not have to involve craft abilities or computer animation skills. The purposes of schedules are to help your child know what to expect during their days and to keep everyone on track. Feel free to keep it simple, but make sure you stick to it!
Encourage active breaks. Children need to move throughout their day. When they are given "recess" or other breaks during online learning, encourage them to walk the dog, play in the backyard, or generally move their bodies. You may also consider having them stand or sit on an exercise ball while they work.
Put your child before their work. There is an enormous pressure to hit developmental milestones and do well in school. However, during these stressful times, it may be helpful for some of the academic tasks to take a backseat to your child's emotional needs. If they're having some trouble consider getting creative and helping your child find new ways of learning. However, you may need to go a step further and find them additional assistance. For academic-related difficulties, their teacher may be able to help. For more emotional distress, consider finding your child a therapist to help support them emotionally.
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