learning at home

Resources and Tips for Making Distance Learning Successful

Setting up the Environment

Schedules

Social Emotional Learning at Home

A Note...

Additional Reading

Setting up the Environment

Tips

Separate spaces for learning and playing; consider separate areas or learning times if there are multiple children and you are able to do so
Reduce distractions as much as possible
Organize materials and make sure they are accessible to children
Keep a consistent schedule, including bed time, snack, and meal times

Schedules

Schedules can help create a sense of calm so that everyone can know what's expected for the day and what is coming next.

Parents can use schedules to "place the blame" somewhere else. For example "What does your schedule say is next?" when the parent doesn't want to remind them they have to clean up.

Setup schedules so that there is a "First...then" aspect - "First we learn, then we get to create" in order to build in preferred activities and something for the child to look forward to.

Check out the pictures to the right to get more ideas for what might work for your home's schedule.

If you want to use visuals for younger children, take pictures of your child doing the activity, have your child draw them, search google, or use Boardmaker for free.

Social Emotional Learning at Home

Second Step Curriculum

FSK uses Second Step, a research-based social-emotional learning curriculum, in grades kindergarten through second grade. This program helps children recognize, name, and cope with feelings among other skills. Click on the link above to view the video lessons (for grades pre-k through fifth) which they have released online for free, as well as other home practice resources.

A Note...

Try to keep in the back of your mind that research in both education AND personal relationship show that the magic ratio of positive to negative interactions needed for success is 5 to 1. If the ratio is any less than that, there will be behavioral issues between the student and teacher... and now the teacher is you. At lower ratios, the student also begins interpreting neutral statements as negative, which requires even more positive interactions to counteract their perceptions.

Count how many times you provide positive feedback, a warm smile, or a hug versus the number of times you give a command or negative feedback.

Additional Reading

How to Reduce Stress of Homeschooling on Everyone

From Surviving to Thriving as an Accidental Home Schooler during COVID-19