So, school has been canceled. What now?
Well, for many parents, school cancelations can trigger feelings of worry and frustration leaving many questioning how they will be able to balance their own work with that of their child’s. I was recently interviewed on how to navigate distance learning while social distancing and you can click here to read the article.
There is nothing more critical to your child’s academic success than their social-emotional well-being. I recognize that for many families during this time, it may be impossible to focus on their child’s academic requirements due to a lack of resources or due to work requirements; however, my the following tips were written to help parents manage the transition to distance learning.
Set realistic goals and expectations.
How many hours should your child be focused on academic work per day? Well, the simple response is…. a very minimal amount. Children in preschool should be focused on learning through playing (e.g., manipulating blocks with letters on them, learning their colors through drawing). Children in elementary should realistically only be spending about 1-2 hours per day on academic work with an emphasis on previously learned skills (e.g., reading, math facts) rather than a focus on learning new material. Given that children’s ability to sustain attention for long periods of time is limited, it is important to understand what children can accomplish so that they are set up for success. What does this mean? More play and less screen time! When you’re planning for your weekly schedule, ask yourself what are realistic goals to accomplish (e.g., does your child really need to fill out a stack of worksheets?). If you are feeling overwhelmed with what is expected, there is a high likelihood of your child feeling overburdened as well (which can lead to frustration for both parents and children!). If it’s too much, take it out! The most important reminder I can give parents is that children learn best through play and exploration!
Start your day with some physical activity.
Exercise releases endorphins, which can help combat feelings of depression and anxiety for both parents and children. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that interact with receptors in the brain that reduce stress hormones and help elevate your mood. Try starting your day with a 15-minute walk or with a breathing activity - it can help set you and your child’s day up for success!
Create a schedule, but allow for plenty of flexibility!
Schedules provide children with a sense of security and can help reduce anxiety, allowing children to understand what is expected of them. While routines at home will look different than preschool and academic schedules, they can help parents and children navigate the transition to learning from home. However, it is important allow plenty of room for change. The most important aspect is to observe what is working well and to change was is unproductive or not useful.
Less really is more.
There will be times where you question yourself as a parent in terms of how capable you are of navigating a global pandemic while raising a child. The reality is that many humans are asking themselves how they will get through this unprecedented time. Try and take as much pressure off of yourself as you can - this can be quite challenging, but is important to your mental health and that of your family. The goal with this tip is to just allow yourself and your family to just successfully get through each day, without any added pressures outside of what is necessary.
Be kind to yourself.
You may have heard of the term, “self-care,” but what does that mean? My translation of this expression is to allow yourself and your child to acknowledge the times in which you feel great and productive, and those in which you feel a bit down. If you are feeling overwhelmed with balancing everything that is on your plate, allow yourself to take a break. When you actively and openly communicate with your child that you need a break, it helps them learn how to effectively regulate their own emotions!
Connect virtually with others.
Social networks are quite powerful and can be especially helpful during a time in which we are unable to physically connect with others. If you are feeling challenged by your child’s academic expectations, you can try and reach out to people in your community for help. Perhaps your family or friends can serve as a source of academic support for a subject in which you are not fond of, or maybe somebody in your network has a skillset they could share (e.g., a foreign language). The key here is tapping into free resources that can help you and your child navigate distance learning.