Going Remote? Helping Kids Thrive with Distance Learning
For many families, distance learning in the spring was a disaster. It was helpful was that our children knew their teachers and classmates. Families shared with me that the opportunities to connect with that classroom community were grounding and supportive for their children despite the uneven academic experience.
Going “back to school” or starting a new school with distance learnin will be a huge adjustment. It turns out this is a marathon, not a sprint. My kid will be starting middle school remotely with teachers he has never met in person. No one thinks this is ideal.
I recently spoke with Wired Magazine about how to “make distance learning suck a little less.“
The article pulls together some good tips, so do check it out. The monster tip from that article that I especially want to share with you:
Having this information at your fingertips to will help kids be more independent. It will save you at least a few interruptions and headaches during a stressful time.
Here are some other ways to make it better.
No kids, teens or adults should be sedentary and plugged in all day.
Movement is crucial
Walk or go outside or dance before sitting down to work
Stretch in between classes
Remember hydration and snacks
Try: pushups, jumping jacks, running around the block
Communicate with teachers
Is there an older sibling helping the younger one during school time? Let the teacher know.
Has your child been stressed? Let the teacher know.
Is there a time of day that’s proving hard for the one of your kids? Let the teacher know.
Is there a conflict with timing between your work responsibilities and something your child is expected to do? Let the teacher know.
Troubleshoot Distractions
Try to create an environment with fewer distractions
Headphones can help some kids, especially if multiple siblings are doing remote school in the same space.
Help your child see potential distractions in the environment
–Are those legos distracting you during class? Lets move them somewhere else.
Self Care
Sit in your car or somewhere you have privacy and call a friend
Take a walk by yourself
Jam your pandemic anthem while you do house tasks
Let something go. Everything will be OK. Parents are being asked to do the impossible.
Remember: This is a very hard time. Don’t let remote school hurt your relationship with your kids. You are doing your best and it is good enough!
Ultimately, kids are wired to learn and they are learning a lot during this pandemic. It may not be what we expected for them or for us, but they are learning. Giving kids, who have lost so much autonomy, a true choice about something they WANT to learn can help them regain some sense of control and reduce stress levels. This is the time for tapping into kid’s intrinsic interests and motivation. If they want to read about ninjas, let them read about ninjas. Is your library offering curbside pickup? You can stock up. And once again… Remember: You are doing your best and it is good enough!
PS: I love this video about curbside pickup from Nashville Public Library and I hope you and your kids enjoy it, too.
PPS: Thanks to Heather Wolpert-Gawron of San Gabriel Unified School District for distilling many of the tips above from one of my Back to School virtual parent talks.
The post Going Remote? Helping Kids Thrive with Distance Learning appeared first on Raising Digital Natives.
