Parent Resources

Virtual Learning Tips for Parents

Engaging in virtual learning can be challenging for everyone. The resources below can help with some of these challenges.

Social-Emotional Tips for Parents

Here are resources that can help parents with monitoring and addressing some of the feelings, behaviors, and situations that may arise as a result of the pandemic:

Behavior Tips for Parents

Here are resources that can help parents with addressing behaviors that may arise as a result of the pandemic and helping to maintain a positive home environment while taking on the roles of both parent and teacher:

New York Association of School Psychologists Supporting Students & Families with Distance Learning - Resource Page

Proactive Strategies

Proactive strategies help create predictability and structure

Activity: Create a simple schedule that includes movement breaks and takes into consideration the realities of your current home life.

General Strategies

Create routines and be consistent
Be clear with you expectations. Give instructions while sitting next to your child and check for understanding.
Provide transition warnings, timers, countdowns, songs, etc.
Be aware of hunger, fatigue, anxiety or other emotions, and any distractions in their environment. Take care of these first before your child can be ready to learn.
Utilize shared control. Allow your child to develop the daily schedule with you. Give them choices of activities.

Reinforcement & Feedback

General Strategies

Acknowledge positive behaviors. Model gratitude and build self-awareness by thanking your child for their hard work in a specific way (ex: "I'm really impressed with how you kept trying even though you didn't know the answer")
Use reward charts when your child struggles to stay focused and persevere when things get hard. It is important to fade them once your child has developed the ability.
Ensure your expectations are within the level of your child’s development. Rewards will not override developmental readiness.

Resource: Using Behavior Charts
Activity: Reward Jar

Responding to Behaviors

General Strategies

Set rules and be consistent
When escalated, give your child time and space to calm down. When your child is calm, return to the original task. Do your best to follow through with your expectations.
Manage your own emotions. It is ok to take a step back and acknowledge your feelings and need for time and space.