Virtual Learning

Virtual Learning


Learning at Home

Parents and families can support students’ thinking and learning during extended virtual learning experiences by engaging in the following activities:

  • Work with HCS to ensure understanding of the requirements and expectations for virtual learning.

  • Collaborate with your child to organize the day to include time for learning, activities, and exercise.

  • Read to and with your child. Ask questions and have conversations about what you have read together.

  • Promote expressive communication by encouraging your child to request, make choices, label items, answer questions, and ask questions throughout the day. This can be verbally, with pictures, or with an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system.

  • Take a walk and ask about what your child is seeing and about being a good citizen.

  • Encourage critical thinking through cooking together or planting a garden.

  • Encourage the use of mathematics in your child’s day.

  • For young children, encourage play throughout the day. Join children’s play and support and expand their interactions with their siblings.

  • Explore your child’s creativity through art, music, or dance.

  • Expand your child’s vocabulary and language by labeling items and describing what you are doing (e.g., Mommy is going to make lunch. I am making a sandwich.).

  • Encourage independence through self-help activities or preparing a meal.

  • Schedule phone calls or video calls with friends and family for relationship building.

  • Write a letter to a family member or friend or community hero.

  • Be mindful of screen time and have alternatives for children to play outside.

  • Listen to your child about his or her feelings and fears and offer comfort, honesty, and reassurance.

  • Model and label your own emotions and provide action statements to model how you appropriately react to and express emotions. Provide your child examples of how to appropriately express his emotions.


VDOE Learning From Home Resources

When children are being taught at home; especially during periods of extended virtual learning, parents have the added stress of keeping their children from being bored or losing their learning. The VDOE has developed a resource, Activities and Learning at Home Resources (PDF), to provide ideas and tips for keeping kids active, engaged, and challenged at home.

The VDOE also encourages you to review resources provided by HCS, public libraries, public media, civic and community groups, and other resources, including those found on the Department’s website like the VDOE For Families webpage. Additionally, resources, such as Activities for Kids While Schools Are Closed (PDF) and Free Audibles for Kids (PDF), can help keep children active and engaged. Tips and resources for parents and families to support learning at home are also available at the Be a Learning Hero website.

VDOE Recommended Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities

Guidance from the Department of Special Education & Student Services


Virtual IEP Meeting Tip Sheets

  • Virtual IEP Meeting Tip Sheets (PDF) – Resource developed by U. S. Department of Education grant-funded centers to support parents in how to hold and participate in virtual individualized education program (IEP) meetings.


Additional Resources

  • Child Care for Essential Personnel – Parents and families who are in search of child care for essential personnel, which is currently permitted under the Governor’s current order, can find more information on the Child Care Aware website. Families can also call 1-866-KIDS-TLC (1-866-543-7852).

  • School Meal Finder – Parents and families can find sites approved for meal service on the School Meal Finder website.

  • Talking to Children about COVID-19 – Advice for families on how to help children understand COVID-19 and deal with associated anxiety, developed by the National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses. Available in both English and Spanish.

  • Talking to Young Children about COVID-19 – Advice for families on how to help toddlers and preschoolers understand COVID-19 and deal with associated anxiety, developed by Zero to Three.

  • NAESP Talking With Kids About Covid-19 Graphics Twitter/Facebook and Instagram – Tips when talking to children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.

  • CASEL Resources for Parents and Families – Social Emotional Learning (SEL) offers a powerful means to explore and express our emotions, build relationships, and support each other. CASEL provides resources to attend to the social and emotional needs that arise during stressful times like these. This site also provides school resources for K-12 lessons at home.

  • SAMHSA Tips for Talking to Children during Infectious Disease Outbreaks – This fact sheet provides parents, caregivers, and teachers with strategies for helping children manage their stress during an infectious disease outbreak. It describes potential reactions among youth and the support adults can provide to help them.

  • CDC Tips for Parents While School’s Out – CDC’s COVID-19 guidance for schools and childcare programs now includes Tips for Parents While School’s Out.

  • CDC Strategies for Coping with Stress and Anxiety – Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. This resource provides parents with strategies to support their own stress as well as their child’s.

  • AAP HealthyChildren.org – The American Academy of Pediatrics parenting site offers information for families on COVID-19 and related resources.

  • AFT Learning at Home Resources – The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Share My Lesson website offers a repository of learning-at-home resources for teachers and parents, including mental health and social-emotional learning resources.

  • The Child Mind Institute: Supporting Families During COVID-19 – Parents may struggle to balance work, child care, and self-care while keeping worries — both your children’s and your own — under control. This site offers resources to help children, teenagers, and parents cope with the increased stress of being at home and managing anxiety.

  • Resources for Supporting Children's Emotional Well-being during the Covid-19 Pandemic – Child Trends provides recommendations for supporting children during this time, who may be at higher risk for the emotional impact of the pandemic.

  • Federation of Virginia Food Banks – Provides information about COVID-19 food bank response as well as links to regional food banks and resources in Virginia. Families can also text “food” or “comida” to 877-877 to find out more about nearby options.

  • VDSS COVID-19 Resources – Provides up-to-date information and guidance form the Virginia Department of Social Services.

  • Medicaid and COVID-19 – Provides information about COVID-19 and Medicaid services, FAQs, and how to access health care coverage

  • Social Care Network – Search for free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more.