A lot of kids are in virtual schooling right now. What does that mean for you as a parent? Are you stuck looking over their shoulder to keep them on track and make sure that everything is turned in? Have you had to drop work and other responsibilities in order to accommodate their virtual learning? You are not alone.
So what do you do now??
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So you are stuck in virtual learning for now and want to make the best of it. You have other things you have to do and can’t spend all day supervising random classes, keeping track of Zoom and Google meeting links, and submitting coursework. It’s simply too much. Here are a few things that can help:
1) Use a planner to map out everything
You have a lot of options here. You can create a digital calendar using Google or other online calendar options, you can use a paper planner with daily schedules, or you can use a daily visual calendar to help keep things on track. A lot of families find that setting timers is helpful and will use an Echo or similar device to set reminders that go off every day. If you can’t stand hearing alarms go off or if your child tends to ignore them, look into other solutions like creating a strong daily routine.
Here are some products that might be helpful (click each picture for more information).
2) Practice supervising at a distance and walking away (without every thing falling apart)
Try unpredictable check-ins. Step away from them and let them know that you will be back to check in. Come back within a few seconds and give a thumbs up if they are on task or a quick prompt if they need some help getting back on track. Then wait a few more seconds and come back. Slowly increase the average time you spend between checks so that you can start to get work done elsewhere! 10 seconds then 1 minute then 2 minutes then 30 seconds… The key is it that must be random (so they don’t start predicting your visits) and you slowly increase in average time. If you need help randomizing time intervals, there are a lot of free apps out there (you can check one out by clicking the image of the dice).
If you need help being random, there are a lot of free apps out there (you can check one out by clicking the image of the dice).
3) Get the support you need so that your child can continue their education without putting your life on hold
You. Deserve. Support. This is an unprecedented time with crazy schedules and lots of variables. How can you possibly get ANYTHING done when you have to be in charge of virtual school all day?
There are a lot of programs out there to help and places that are safe for you to drop your child off at. A few options in your area may include:
- Your local YMCA
- Track out and summer camp providers
- Drop off day care providers
- Nannies (check care.com)
- Academic tutors
- Applied Behavioral Happiness!
If you are in or around the Wake Forest area, give us a call. Our Pods are not currently enrolling, but we would be happy to help you find the resources you need to succeed in these crazy times!
We are keeping our staff to child ratio at 6:1 or less in order to allow for social distancing and for high quality supervision. Every child is assigned a personalized learning station with a customized visual schedule and tools for helping make sure that they get to class on time, stay focused, and turn their in assignments. We have heard from SO many parents and teachers that kids are missing assignments left and right…we don’t want them to continue to fall behind.