How to get and keep your child on track while learning remotely...

After the first few weeks of teaching remotely, the emails started coming in from parents asking for help. They were drowning at home with their kids while they too were trying to work. Here are some quick and easy suggestions to help you improve your time at home with the kids while they are remote or hybrid.

First, set a routine, especially on the days the kids stay home. So, get them up at the same time, shower, brush teeth, get dressed, and be online by the time their schedule indicates. If your kiddo is younger, you might need to review what the routine is before you can expect them to start doing this like they are on autopilot. You can even make a visual for kids to know what the routine/expectations are during the week.

Next, make sure your child has an area devoted to their learning. No, the bedroom is not the best place because you cannot see what they are up to or monitor what they are, and are not, doing. I would suggest that kids K-12 have a learning station. Which means they need a table (folding table, desk, kitchen table), a comfortable chair, electronic device (Chromebook, tablet, laptop, desktop, or phone), school supplies (pencil, paper, eraser, etc.), and school-issued workbooks/textbooks.

Next, the adult needs to set the bar in regards to the daily and/or weekly expectations. If your child is using Google Classroom, then ask them to show you their daily assignments, what they completed for work, and that they attached the work before turning it into the teacher. Parents can sign up for a weekly update on what your child is doing in Google Classroom, but it is nothing compared to you asking them to log in and taking a look. Warning, sometimes students "turn in" work through Google Classroom without actually attaching any work. So, make sure there is some kind of attachment in an assignment before it has been turned in to the teacher. Here is a helpful video on checking work in Google Classroom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4JeCTfhvnI

Next, try using a reward or consequence system for your child while they are working from home. I found this free resource on TpT to track what assignments my child has and s/he fills in the smiley face when s/he completes the task. I fill in the chart after I look at his/her Google Classroom. My child is in kindergarten so I need to review what the teacher wants completed throughout the day and write it in his/her chart. My child will fill a smiley face when the task is completed, and yes, reminders are needed throughout the day.

I do the same thing with my first grader. She is at the point where she can read her chart and knows to fill in her smiley face as she completes each task. You are going to have to decide what the rewards or consequences are for your child in regards to completing work and behaving throughout the day. Rewards could be YouTube time, play time, tv time, a snack, a craft. A consequence could be taking away YouTube time, tv time, earlier bed time, etc.

Finally, adults, you need to stay positive and watch what you say and how you say it. I know it's frustrating to monitor your child while you are also trying to work but if you continually yell at or belittle your child they will learn nothing. Same goes for teachers! If we want our students to learn from us, then we need to build relationships with them. Parents already have a relationship with their children, so the focus needs to be on being encouraging and staying positive. Here is an article from Harvard with some helpful tips for parents. Although these tips focus on preschoolers, I think they can apply to any student learning remotely.

I hope you find these tips and resources helpful as you navigate remote and hybrid learning. Please know that everyone is struggling right now but we are all in this together! Don't be ashamed to ask for help, to Google answers, or even cry. Remote learning ain't easy, neither is teaching or adulting! Keep trying to do your best; your kids will appreciate it!