Embedded Files
Simplify the Online Experience
Simplify the Online Experience
Simplify the password for the child's device
Clear the desktop of your computer and leave only what the child needs for school. Keep only a few icons on their screen view
Create shortcuts on the desktop, bottom menu or as a bookmark so that all your child has to do is click to access the site without typing to search google
Parents install SeeSaw on your home phones so that it is easy to record children's work through voice notes or photos
If your child struggles to stay on tasks, you can block all websites except for a few educational sites including the ones the school uses
Device parental controls are very important. It is critical to download and use ColdTurkey for Windows or Mac OS to manage, limit, and monitor the activity on your child's device, you use a Chromebook, Google Family Link can work too.
You can also try hiding the icons that ease access to cartoons or video games or deleting their shortcuts
Parents are responsible for all media content their children consume; do your research and use your parental judgment to protect your child and help them concentrate on school - even if it means deleting apps or games that are distracting your child.
Explore our online platforms
Explore our online platforms
Online Learning Platforms
Do you now have your logins for the relevant online learning platforms?
Have you activated these logins?
Is your child able to complete the online activities set by the teacher, to support his/her progress on the online platforms?
The answer to these questions should be ‘YES’. Please urgently....click here to learn about our online platforms
Adult Supervision is Important
Adult Supervision is Important
All sessions will be under the overall planning and supervision of the teacher.
Caregivers or parents will not be teaching.
However, some adult supervision will be necessary.
A responsible adult in the household will:
Monitor safe use of devices.
Support younger less independent children to stay at on task during each work period.
Ensure learning tools are available and ready at all times before sessions begin.
Provide a mobile phone when the teacher needs to speak to the child.
Support the learning environment and routine without teaching or doing tasks for the child.
We encourage parents to make every effort to avail some time for this journey - for this Covid season.
Ideally, 1.5 to 3 hours of one parent's time every morning are optimum
1 hour every morning also allows the child to settle into the routine for the day.
If both parents are not available at all, the teachers will work and collaborate closely with another adult assigned to be responsible for children in the absence of parents.
Parental support now, will continue to position children to succeed and thrive in the next grade/class.
For children aged 7 years and below, a responsible adult should be present for a minimum of 1.5 hours per day or up to 4 hours per day.
Remember the basics
Remember the basics
Encourage your child’s independence and resilience by allowing him/her to work independently
Insist that your child goes to bed at a reasonable time and sleeps for long enough -
1 - 2 years old; 11- 14 hours
3 - 5 years old; 10 - 13 hours
6 year old +; 9 - 11 hours
Keep online learning light-hearted and fun as far as possible
Remember that this period will not last forever and we will be there in person soon enough to address any gaps and misconceptions that might arise in your child’s learning
Stay connected to your teacher; he/she is your biggest ally in this period and is there for you!
Continue Having Conversations
Continue Having Conversations
Explain the situation as clearly as you can to your children.
Take time to explain to your children why they are staying at home and why staying at home is important for helping them stay safe. The more they know about the situation, the more secure they will feel. It may seem challenging to share, but it will help them!
Talk with children about how and why school with their friends and their teacher is via a computer (again).
Tell them that the teacher will be part of their mornings every day of the week.
Tell them they will be recording themselves to share everything they are doing with their friends on the computer.
Start and Restart the Routines Anytime
Start and Restart the Routines Anytime
Stick to a consistent routine. Bedtime should happen fairly early and at the same time every day.
Make sure breakfast is part of the morning routine.
Children should get ready for each day in anticipation of their learning.
Your child needs to dress for their call like they would if they were going to school. This change helps students adjust their mindset for the day (they must always change from their nightclothes)
Organise their school items in their school bag and pencil bag; all school material should be kept in the same area every day.
Every evening before bedtime (involve the child in planning for their next day)
Talk to your child about how the day went and their plans for the next day
Charge the device the night before
Gather all school material and put it in one place
Sharpen pencils, gather the crayons and notebooks the night before.
Every morning the child should get organised at least 15 minutes before their first session starts.
Routine helps children focus for learning. Have a schedule for daily activities. This will include the daily learning schedule sent to you by your classroom teacher. This also includes routines like dressing for the day (no pajamas all day!) which help students transition into "learning mode," "playing mode," or "resting mode."
The more children stick to a schedule, the more secure they feel.
We must help students adjust to their new learning reality. The following are the areas of emphasis for week one and two:
Students will practise the new routines of "school at home."
Teachers and students build the foundations to own the learning process.
Students grow in their autonomy to allow parents to attend to other duties.
Social interaction and student interests will be the levers to inspire work and to address learning needs.
Teachers will get to know each family situation in order to appropriately adapt and support each student.
Create a Learning Space in Your Home
Create a Learning Space in Your Home
Set up designated study areas in your home.
If you have multiple learners, separate the children as much as possible during live sessions.
During independent work, supervision may work well if they are all working in the same space.
See what works best for your family.
Either a separate room or a corner of a room that is well lit could work well.
Another example could be a desk or a table that is specifically for school work. A corner of a room could become an arts and crafts station. Children will respond to these spatial cues and become used to the routine of doing certain activities in certain places in the home.
If near a window, the window light should be facing the child's face and their device screen should not face direct light.
Children need order and routine to thrive and focus. Help them set up a consistent daily schedule that they will be able to do "automatically."
All school materials should be kept in the same place every day - keep learning tools in a small bin in the designated study area.
Toys must be organised and in designated areas or baskets so that children have the idea that they are out of bounds during class-time. When necessary, keep them out of sight during school hours.
Children should participate in preparing the work space and tidying it everyday.
All tools should be ready the night before. For example, pencils should be sharpened and prepared the night before school. This is a great way to help children build independent habits for success!
More tips to set up a strong home learning culture and environment.....click for more.
Organise Learning Resources
Organise Learning Resources
Each child needs a device (laptop or tablet - ages 4+).
This pandemic crisis has made technology an essential education tool.
Devices are going to become a class tool after this pandemic.
Some aspects of distance learning will remain a part of Discovery learning so that the next school closure finds us all ready to continue school in a heartbeat.
Children will need strong Internet connectivity
Make sure the child has a desk (or some flat surface) and a chair.
Provide headphones with a microphone (if possible)
Over-ear headphones will help eliminate distractions without putting pressure on their ears.
The microphone will be good for projecting student voices to classmates.
The teacher will need access to a phone in the house to be able to call the child at any point in the day.
Involve everyone in the house.
Involve everyone in the house.
Some of us may still be required to go to work each day due to the nature of the jobs we do. Involve other people in your house (the house helpers, nannies, older siblings, grandparents for example) in your child's learning. Inform them about your schedule for your student and about the daily learning plan from Discovery.
If your student is doing online work, let everyone in your house know which websites are appropriate and how much time the child should spend on the digital device. Many of the activities, that will be set for your child, can be explained in any language.
Confidence, and character development, underpins all learning; this can be developed in any language and supported by any trusted, caring and responsive adult in the household. Older siblings can play a role in this too.
Look it up
Look it up
If you feel stuck, look it up! If you feel like you are at a loss for what to do with your children, don't hesitate to look up information on the internet to help you.
It is likely that someone else had the same feelings as you and found a solution with their children.
Of course, be careful when you look up parenting advice/information to check the source of the information, but there is a vast ocean of helpful information available to you as a parent.
Physical activities and outdoor time
Physical activities and outdoor time
Physical activity and movement are critical for success during this season - children's bodies and brains need daily physical activity. Click here for videos and ideas
Make memories
Make memories
Make memories and have fun as a family!
The bright side of this situation is that children get some more time to connect with their parents.
Even as you work from home, it is wise to be intentional about family fun and connection during such an unprecedented and potentially stressful time.
Children may also experience ripple effects of family stress and anxiety. Beyond that, children need our connection and friendship every single day.
When things go wrong
When things go wrong
If children are stressed and defiant, and things seem to be going wrong, this may be inevitable in this period that we're going through. We encourage parents to remember that it is just as hard for the children to be confined as it is for us as adults.
Reflect on your child's actions and dispositions and respond appropriately. Sometimes turning off all stimuli and focusing face to face quality time allows adults to be more attuned to the needs of children.
Limits and boundaries and consequences are a part of life, however, children respond best when we are attuned to their needs and meet them. Tantrums and meltdowns will happen, especially when on lock down.
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