Remote learning has been growing for adults and college students for decades — but now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, this learning style is here for young kids, too. With parents, teachers and children all being thrust into at-home learning, we understand if some of you are feeling uncertain about what to do next.
With the right remote learning tools and a few deep breaths, though, you’ll be able to make it as smooth as possible for everyone.
Now that distance learning is a lifestyle for parents, teachers, and children for the foreseeable future, here are some quick tips for making that transition a little easier.
1.Create a Unique Space for Learning at Home
There’s a rule some of you may have heard about bed: “Don’t eat, watch TV, or hang out in your bed — use it only for sleeping. This is the same idea, but for learning. If you’ve turned your playroom into your new at-home classroom, you might want to rethink that. Your children see that as a space where they get to play, not as a place to focus and learn! Choose a unique area or location and teach your children that this is their new learning zone.
2. Structure Their Day Similarly to What It Was at School
You might have a full online curriculum heading your way to commandeer, or you might just have an e-mail saying something like, “Please read with them every night.” No matter what level of resources you were given, you can still fill up some of your at-home learning day with special classes – gym, art, library, computers, coding, recess, social skills, speech, etc. Keeping the day as close as possible to a school day will help kids stay focused. Ask your child what their days were like at school and do your best to mimic that structure.
3. You Don’t Have to Be Perfect
Most parents don’t have a master’s degree in teaching. Right now, we’re all stressed and juggling a million new things during this unprecedented time. So, in case you needed to hear this today – you don’t have to be perfect. Do the best you can for your children with the time and resources you have and that will be enough.
As a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, I can tell you that the most important thing teachers want for their students at a time like this is for them to feel safe and loved. Keep your kids healthy and keep their minds at ease so when they can go back to school, they are ready to learn.
4. Easy and Fun Ways to Support At-Home Learning
Looking for free educational resources to support your child’s school curriculum? Check out our free resources for both parents and teachers. Our Educate, Engage, and Entertain at Home landing page also has links to everything from educational resources to art ideas and activities. And there are tons of ideas and tips from real teachers on our blog. As always, we’re here for you. Please let us know if you have any questions or if there’s any way we can help as you, and millions of others, venture into teaching at home. Stay safe and healthy!
By Erika Silano
3/20/2020
Erika Silano taught first grade for five years and kindergarten for one year. She also worked as a behavior therapist and speech and language pathologist Assistant before getting her own classroom. Erika has worked at Really Good Stuff for two years. She loves developing products for the K-2 age range as well as anything with literacy!
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