Preparing for a pandemic school year: life lessons and tips for virtual learning.

Back to school is always a time of excitement, fresh haircuts, cute clothes and a backpack full of school supplies, the best of course being the freshly sharpened pencils. The anticipation of seeing friends, being back to routines and knowing the school year ahead will be full of new but also a familiar and comfortable place. And let's be honest, we parents look forward to the beginning of the school year too.

This year, however, excitement is replaced with uncertainty, anxiety and much less of the familiar. We all know how the last few months of the 2020 school year ended. No need to relive this. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t easy on the kids, it wasn’t easy on the teachers, and it certainly wasn’t easy on parents. Leave it to a worldwide pandemic to completely turn our world upside down literally overnight. But you know what, we did it. We can do tough things!

As we walk into this school year, not a single one of us wants to be here. We all want normal. It won’t be a normal year, but we can make the best of where we are. We are all starting in different places: in-person, hybrid, virtual or perhaps you have chosen to home school this year. Whatever path you are on now, we all know there is a likelihood of some level of remote learning this year.

I will get to the meat of this blog, the part with ideas to prepare for success in virtual learning, in just a moment. But first, my soap box.

Parents, as we prepare for this year, as we face this ongoing challenge of life being different due to Covid 19, remember this…

Little eyes are watching your reaction to how you handle life when life gets tough.

Little eyes are watching how you handle situations when things don’t go your way.

Little eyes are watching how you treat your neighbor because they don’t see the situation the same as you.

Little eyes are watching how you talk about the current situation we all are facing.

We face two options right now:

A) Teach them to complain, throw a fit, and refuse to help your neighbors because things aren’t going your way. To take your frustrations of the situation out on who ever you decide to snap on. Because things are tough, hard and uncertain it is okay for them to be nasty, rude, selfish, and inconsiderate. Because things are tough, it's okay to quit.

OR

B) Teach them that life can be tough, unpredictable and unfair. And it’s okay to feel down, overwhelmed and disappointed... BUT we can do tough things. We can make it through these tough times (that don’t last forever) by being kind, being helpers and by making the best of life in hard situations!

Our kids are facing enough stress in their lives right now. Instead of adding to their stress, let's help them make it through this in a way that will help them face the inevitable hard things they will face in their future.

We can do tough things! Be kind!

Okay, soap box over!

I acknowledge that virtual learning is hard for the families where both parents work and cannot devote themselves to help their children all day. It is hard for the children who face learning difficulties and struggle sitting behind a computer all day. For these struggles I don’t have advice, but offer my empathy. These are some of the toughest days we may see in our lifetime.

I have talked to friends who had both positive and negative experiences with remote learning last spring, friends who homeschool and teachers, to ask them what worked well, what were hurdles they faced, and what advice they had as we move into this school year.

So how can we make the most of these days? How can we help our children to succeed during virtual learning? Here's a few nuggets that I hope will help you.

Setting up our home and spaces in a way that will help set our children up for success.

Dedicated work space. Whether this is a desk or the kitchen table, it should be free distractions to help your child focus. If you have multiple children learning at home, they may need to be set up in separate areas. If you have both children on calls and working through assignments, it can become distracting. Perhaps set your older, more independent child up at a desk in their room.

Photo curtesy of Sara Andrews/ Strengthen the Parents/ @homeschoollifecoach

Flexible workspaces and seating. Think outside the box for other learning spaces when a change of scenery is needed. The floor, the couch, front porch, the trampoline or a park. Alternative seating options are great for children who need to move and get their wiggles out. If your kid needs to change it up to stay motivated, go where the wind blows you my child.

Keep all school items together in one place. Avoid scrambling to find an assignment, sharpened pencil or computer charger. Keep all the items needed together for each child. At the end of the school day, put it all back so you’re ready to go the next morning.

A little piece of counter space, cabinet space or desk space will work great. If space is an issue try using a rolling cart, basket, bin or shelving unit. Put art supplies or frequently used items together in a tote. Not only does this keep everything organized but it’s easy to take outside or wherever your lesson may take you.

Photo curtesy of Leslie Bruner

Education can happen outside of the classroom. Again, what a great lesson to teach our children. We can learn anywhere and everywhere.

“Education is an atmosphere, a discipline and a life.”

Charlotte Mason

Schedules

Children, especially young children, thrive off of routine. Their days at school run on a schedule and a routine. This may feel forced and awkward to us at home to prepare a schedule so detailed, but trust me it will help your child feel in control of their day and it will help you as the parent to feel like the day is under control. This is not to say that you can’t break from the schedule. BUT when your child knows what is next, or when their break will be it can help to get thru some power struggles and add motivation to finish what they are working on.

The #1 thing I have heard from teachers, home school families and families who felt successful with home learning was the importance of implementing a schedule.

Clearly there is something to this. Your schedule doesn’t have to be something you pour hours into making. Chances are your school will even give you a suggested schedule. Tweak this where you can to fit your child's needs.

Print off your schedule, put it where your child and you can easily see it.

Handling the frustration

No one is sugar coating this, there will be moments or days or weeks you and your child are beyond frustrated. And believe me, I have been there! My kids have been there. So what can we do to ease these bumps?

Help your child feel in control. When things look so different, of course most kids will have a hard time adjusting. Give them ways to feel in control during a time where so much is out of their control. Give them choices when possible on their schedule or day.

Take brain and movement breaks frequently. The younger the child the more frequently you should take them. Go for a walk, play outside for a bit, find a great movement video on YouTube such as Go Noodle.

Snacks. The number one reason my kids lose their marbles is because they are hangry. Have healthy snacks ready to eat when you see them losing their cool.

Switch tasks. If your child is frustrated or avoiding an assignment. Have them take a break from what they are working on. Work on something else for a while and come back to the tough assignment. Walk thru with them why they are frustrated. Do they need extra help? Do they not understand the assignment? Help them get to a place where they feel in control of the task at hand. This confidence will go a long way in moving past the hurdle.

Timing things appropriately. Watch what triggers your child into frustration. Move this activity or work to the morning hours. Your child is more awake and can concentrate better at the beginning of the day. For example, if your child struggles with Math, work on the assignments in the morning hours when their mind is fresh.

Quiet Time. We all remember the amazing power nap time held when our children were younger. Well, it’s time to bring quiet time back! You might be thinking there is no way your 6th grader will go for quiet time...enter the power of the pandemic. Being together at home all day every day is exhausting and we all get sick of each other. Don’t deny it. You know this is true. Everyone will benefit from going to their rooms for an hour long break. Read, nap, watch a show. Your preteen will more than gladly take this time to themselves. And it does wonders to reset yourself as well. My 5 year old loves Cosmic Kids Yoga during her quiet time.

Younger children at home who are not in school yet. Without a doubt this has to be one of the hardest aspects of virtual learning for parents. Your young school age child needs your help to work through their school day. But you have younger kids at home, who need your constant attention as well. This is hard, so here's a few ideas to help navigate this. Set up "school" for the younger siblings. Let them pretend to do work (color, small assignment, etc) while your older child needs your attention. Know the time of day your school age child needs you the most and set up a movie or show for the littles to watch. Attempt to do the most of the work that needs your attention during nap time. Consider hiring a sitter to come for a few hours a week to help with the younger kiddos while you help with school. Have special boxes of toys (your current toys kids don't play with often. Put them in a box and make it special thing that they can play with these items. Mix up the boxes so the have different toys each day) your kids can play with during the school day to keep their attention while you are helping with school. Eventually you'll get into a groove and it will get a little easier.

No one will judge you for how you need to make it through this. If they do, they clearly haven't had to juggle little kids, school and a pandemic at the same time.

All this applies to the parents as well. If you find yourself frustrated, angry, impatient, this is doing nothing more than stressing out your child and ultimately stressing yourself out more. Take breaks, go for a walk or run, take a nap. Do what you need to do to keep your head in this game. Give your child and yourself grace. We are in tough times. And remember, YOU CAN DO TOUGH THINGS!

Think of five or six things you can keep in your back pocket to help your child through the frustrations that will come along. Knowing you have some ideas to try, will help you stay calm and in control as the tensions rise.

Think outside the box

Think of fun ways to keep learning fun and interactive. No doubt our teachers will do a fabulous job making sure our children are learning what they need to be learning. But we can add a few extras in as well. Here's a few ideas to get you going:

Pods. Love them or hate them, they are a unique way to not only help out neighbors who may need extra help while they are working and their student needs to do virtual learning, but also to engage in collaboration and group learning which is so beneficial to students' success. These can take on many different approaches but one we will be using is a weekly group of kids, changing up where we meet and what parents lead a small group activity maybe a project based learning model, an art class, music lesson, community service project etc. For older students, perhaps a study session at a park with close friends.

Make the outdoors your classroom. Make the science lesson or writing assignment come to life while going for a hike or playing in a nearby creek.

Incorporate learning opportunities around the house. Math and cooking go hand in hand. Gardening and science. The list goes on and on! Teach your kids homemaking and handyman skills as opportunities arise while home.

Self Directed Learning. Have your child research something they are passionate about and present you the information in a fun way.

Keep it light and keep it fun. Find ways to have fun with your kids during this time! Life is so serious right now, we all could use fun in our day. Have a dance party as a movement break, create a persona to be the teacher in a hard subject. I’ve been known to bust out “Mrs. Barber” who is very strict and has a terrible accent. Mrs. Barber came out when the frustration was high. My 10 year old would roll her eyes over how uncool her mom was. Eventually a laugh would creep out. Success. Then of course Mrs. Barber would keep going just to get her out of her funk. (And imagine my relief when a friend told me she does the same thing with her kids. This is how you know you are friends with the right people!) Do what you need to do to keep it light!

Mental Health

During this hard time, watch your children closely, watch yourself closely. If you feel you or your child needs help to get through this, please, please reach out for help. There is no shame, there is no judgment. We all need to do what we need to do to make it to the other side of this. This is one of the toughest times we will face in life. You are not alone, we will do this together. Remember, we can do tough things.

Ready or not, the school year is upon us! My hope is that something in this post will help you and your child face virtual learning feeling a little more confidently.

We are all in this together and we will all make it through it together. Lend a hand, well not literally your hand, your socially distanced hand to help neighbors and friends, finish this together.

We can do tough things! Be kind!

We've got this!

Lindsay

Thank you to everyone who sent me their successes, struggles, and ideas!