Schedule Tip 1: Must Do’s and May Do’s

Your child’s teacher will share schedules with you for distance learning, including important things like live learning through Google Meets, each days assignments will be posted to their google classroom, and fun stuff like upcoming special events.

Use the schedule your child’s teacher sends you to work with your child to create their distance learning schedule. Work together to determine the “Must Do’s”. Those are Google Meets, assignments, lunch and snack time, and times for your movement, play, and to get their wiggles out. Also add in anything else very important to you, your child, and your family (reading time, art time, taking the dog for a walk, family time, etc.). Once those are figured out, add in other stuff.

Do you have multiple kids? If possible, try to schedule some things like lunch at the same time. Are your kids sharing a device for distance learning? Be sure to schedule when each person will need the device, and have time to use it for assignments.

Are you working from home, too? Include in the schedule times when your family knows you’re busy, and times they know they can talk with you.

Schedule Tip 2: Include Your Child in the Creation of the Schedule

In making your child’s schedule, older kids may help by writing it down or drawing pictures, while younger kids may listen and draw pictures. Kids tend to do well with visuals, so a visual schedule can be really helpful. Either way, it’s important to let your child be a part of the schedule process, so they understand what’s going on and have a sense of control over some of the activities in free times. Also remember, the schedule should match your child’s needs. While one child may be able to sit and work independently for quite awhile, another may struggle with that and need more movement. You are the expert on your kids, so do what works best for them!

Schedule Tip 3: Remember to Stay Flexible

Flexibility is important to consider on a daily basis, in the long term, and as things come up. Make sure your child’s schedule has some flexibility and time for them to be a kid and play, draw, read, dance, be social, step away from screens or whatever it is they are feeling that day. As we continue with distance learning (for now), take time to reflect and think about how your child’s routine is working and don't be afraid to adjust as necessary.

3. STAY FOCUSED

Tip #1: Encourage Self-Regulation

Remind your student of the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. If they become distracted, they can use their self-talk to tell themselves, “I’m distracted. Time to get to work on this!” If self-talk isn't helping, ask your child to identify how they are feeling. Bored? Worried? Confused? Or try out their favorite mindfulness technique.

If your child is feeling stressed, talk with them about what’s on their mind. They may be thinking about something worrying them. Encourage them to use the coping skill that helps them best. Do they need to talk it out, practice some deep breathing strategies, a movement break or support in organizing so they feel more prepared to tackle their tasks ahead.

Maybe the problem is that they do not understand their assignment. Encourage them to attend their teachers daily office hours through google classroom to ask their question to support their self advocacy skills. Help how you can, and when in doubt, reach out to your child’s teacher!

Tip #2: Chunk Up the Assignment

If your child is having a hard time working on a longer assignment, it may help to break things down. For example, if it’s a struggle to sit and do ten math problems, it may be a good idea for them to do five, take a break, then come back and do the other five.

Tip #3: Set Yourself Up for Success:

Do you have a clean working space, in a quiet area (no tv, phone, or additional unneeded tabs open), away from others who will distract you, do you have all the materials you need for class, did you eat so you have enough fuel to stay focused, did you get a good nights sleep?

Tip #4: Foster Independence Through Productive Struggle

• Encourage your student to do their own learning. The real learning happens through the struggle, I promise!

• Learners may need a few moments to think and sometimes will need a couple of attempts. You can help by encouraging their growth mindset and reinforcing/ praising their effort and persistence- this in and of itself is a skill they will need to utilize throughout their lives!

• Notice-- Is your student looking at you before speaking, responding or attempting their work? This may indicate the need for your child to take on more ownership of their learning. As a staff we are using the power words- be brave, not perfect this year as we all learn new skills. Remind your child, it's okay to make mistakes, but it's time to be brave and take control of their learning. The first step is to try!

• If your student is stuck and asks for help, here are a few questions you could ask instead of giving them the answer or doing the work:

• What might you try now?

• How might you start this?

• Exactly what part are you having trouble with?

• What could be another way to approach this?

• What can you remember your teacher saying or showing you about _______?

• If they are still having difficulty reassure them that their teacher is there to help! Office hours are available every day from 2:00 to 2:30pm. Encourage your child to write down a list of questions for them to ask their teacher. You are supporting their self advocacy skills!

6. CHECK IN AND KEEP COMMUNICATION OPEN

If possible, check in with your child first thing in the morning and go over the schedule for the day. Ask them what they are looking forward to doing that day and if they are concerned about something. If there is anything your child is concerned about, talk with them and help them determine if the concern is inside or out of their control and sort out any irrational thinking. Remind students that while we can’t control everything, we can control our attitude, words, and actions.

If possible debrief and reflect at the end of the day. Ask them what they learned about. What was their favorite part of school? How about the rest of the day? What was the hardest part? What will you do differently, or more of, tomorrow? For a fun activity before bedtime, click here for a Goodnight Glowing Cube from Big Life Journal.

Between kids, school, work, and social/environmental factors life is super hard, heavy and busy right now. It's important to work in some time for connection. Going on family walks, reading a book together, playing a board game, or even having a dance break are great ways to connect and de-stress!