Distance Learning Tips & Tricks
Distance learning is a challenge for everyone. We’ve connected with experts, teachers, parents, counselors and administrators to offer some ideas. No matter how many awesome ideas, nothing will “fix” the current situation as it is not ideal for anyone. But we can work to make it a little less painful - and dare we say - even a little fun!
START WITH YOURSELF
ATTITUDE - Keep negative feelings about distance learning to yourself. Embrace it and they will too.
REMEMBER - They are watching and listening to you and learning how to weather challenges.
CALM - When you are calm, they are calm.
BATTLES - Choose wisely.
GRACE - For your child, teacher, school - and yourself!!
WORK - Even though you’re home, try to keep normal office hours.
FAMILY DINNERS - Whenever possible and with the table cleared from computers, phones, papers, etc. This is a great time to spend together and make things feel a little normal. Once per week have everyone take turns sharing something they are grateful for.
DON’T COMPARE - Yourself or your child to anyone else - especially what you are seeing on social media!
THE ENVIRONMENT
THEIR SPACE - It’s not always possible, but when it is, have a designated space for everyone with desk, storage, headphones; free from noise and distraction as much as possible.
LOCATION - It is helpful if they are not in the same room as their sibling and not in their bedroom - when possible. This can help create mental separation between school and downtime.
FUN - Have alphabet chart, 100 chart, their name.
DÉCOR - Let them stage their zoom background: corkboard, poster board, stickers, etc.
WHITEBOARD with schedule for the day (use teacher’s verbiage ex: morning reading time) is super helpful.
ROUTINES & SCHEDULES
KEEP THEM GOING! Mealtimes, bedtimes, and everything in between - routine and predictability will help tremendously.
DAILY CHECK LIST - Have your child create one shaped like a hand with 5 things they need to remember every day.
MORNING - Have them dress, brush teeth, etc. as they would for any school day.
LOG INTO ZOOM early while getting ready or having breakfast to avoid the last-minute scramble. When the teacher starts, they are ready.
RECESS
TRY TO COORDINATE your own break time so you can join them and have some fun!
MOVE - Be sure they get up and move around - stretch, dance, play, run around.
SNACKS - Have a basket of snacks they can choose from - super fun!
AVOID SCREENS - They are on screens all day. Speaking of screens, earning screen time is helpful - by doing chores, completing homework, good attitude,
playing outside, getting exercise, etc.
LUNCHTIME FUN
JOIN them when you can and make it fun. Maybe door dash once a week.
CREATE A LUNCH MENU for the week that allows them to make choices.
HAVE A CHANGE OF SCENERY - Maybe eat outside, in a different room, or play music. Avoid anything with a screen.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
ENCOURAGEMENT - Recognize this is difficult. Notice when they do well staying on schedule, working independently, seeking help when they need it, etc. and let them know how proud you are of them!
ACKNOWLEDGE their feelings, encourage them to name and work through anger, sadness, fear, etc. Remind them this will not last forever.
LISTEN to the “heartbeat” of what’s really going on. If they know they can talk to you without judgement, and that you’ll validate what they are struggling with, it will help them want to come to you. You don’t necessarily have to have a solution, they may just need to vent. When appropriate, asking them what they think they could do to make the situation better is a great way for them to develop problem-solving skills.
CONSIDER what adverse behavior is telling you - we are all experiencing a major lack of control so children may attempt to gain control where they can.
MISTAKES - They will make them! Be sure you support them through it and help them to learn.
REMEMBER - Sitting on Zoom for a long time is difficult for anyone, especially children.
DISCUSS THE SITUATION with them, ask them what they know so you can clear up any misinformation. Be sure you let them know that you love them, you are there for them, and everything is going to be OK.
FOR THE MOST part kids are extremely resilient, and may become stronger and more self-reliant as a result of this difficult time. Sometimes we need to take a step back and look at the 30,000-foot view.
KIDS DON’T ALWAYS REMEMBER what you say, they don’t always remember what you do, but they remember how you made them feel.
HOMEWORK ISSUES
MOST PARENTS are not equipped to teach. The teacher is still the teacher, so don’t put unrealistic expectations or pressures on yourself. Your role is emotional support, help with organizational skills, creating check lists, have their supplies, water, etc. ready for the day.
TAKE THE HOMEWORK BURDEN OFF OF YOURSELF and make them accountable to their teacher, not to you. Discuss with their teacher if there is a problem.
DON’T HOVER over them and stress about it, tell them to let you know when they are done and then you can take a picture of their homework and send it to their teacher every day.
IF THEY WON’T finish an assignment, don’t let it become a power struggle. If it goes that far, you can follow up with the teacher, teacher aide, or principal - they want to help. This will help your child realize that they are seen and what they are doing matters. They aren’t doing it for their parents, parents are trying to help them do what their teacher is asking of them.
TEACHERS are trying hard because they want your child to be ready for the next step. 1st graders need to read by 2nd grade, math milestones need to be met, etc. Take time to thank them and keep open lines of communication.
TIPS FOR ADHD CHILDREN
SEEING EVERYONE’S face on the screen at once can be overwhelming. Adjust so they only see their teacher.
SEEK HELP, TIPS, AND IDEAS from your teacher or district. There are counselors and administrators who want to help.
This is not like the spring when we were all caught off guard, your school district is prepared and ready to help you in any way they can. If you or your child needs help, reach out.
And when you are really at your wits end, imagine if this was all over tomorrow and they went back to school full-time all day, every day. There are things we will definitely miss!
For more Covid-19 parenting resources, check out our parent ED Talks:
