I was hoping back in March 2020 that before school started again in August, our kids would be back on campus and being able to play with their friends. Maybe I was a bit naive at the time, or perhaps it was just wishful thinking. As a therapist, I see all sorts of families that are struggling with this pandemic. It is not uncommon for people to feel at times scared, anxious, or depressed. We have adapted, but many miss their old life and some sense of control. It is hard for entire families to be at home for so long, and now with the school year starting, the added stress of distance learning is causing many parents to feel overwhelmed, tired, and helpless.
Many of my parents tell me they are not good at teaching; that is why they became firefighters, nurses, salespeople, or assorted other occupations teachers because they didn’t have the patience to be in a room with 20 kids all asking questions and with the expectation to actually teach something useful. Nevertheless, here we are having to supplement our child’s learning and help them prepare for online schooling.
Here are a few tips to help you and your child succeed this school year!
Know what the expectations are from the start. Know what your child is responsible for, what time, and what subjects your child will be doing each day. Keep in touch with your child’s teacher and read all the documents created for their learning. Most schools have some type of parent portal; make sure you have registered and are checking it frequently.
Remove distractions. This is often easier said than done. In many families, everyone is at home and there's competition for space on the computer. I have had a few families become super creative and have elevated beds to allow for floor space for a desk. Others have used “the guest room” or formal living rooms to have a space for each child and working parent. An area that is quiet and comfortable is an absolute must. This one may require you to think way out of the box to get it done.
Limit device screen time. As school time will take up many hours during the day, adding more sitting and screen time from games or TV will create eye strain, inability to focus, and anxiety. The overuse of screen also can negatively affect our brains. Sitting for long periods of time is also not good for our bodies or our mental health. To help combat this, printing out some schoolwork to work on the “old school way” and reading books also helps reset and refresh our brains. Note: I am not saying no to any additional screen time, but do try to limit it.
Move more! Our bodies were designed to move, and when we don’t, our health suffers. Set up a schedule to allow for recess and non-screen playtime. We all do better with schedules, and working in physical activity into the school or workday is essential. Also note that some children do better standing at their desk while distance learning, you may need to adjust the computer’s height if your student does better standing.
Attempt to adjust your schedule. If you can take a break when your child does, it will help both of you get more done and you to be less stressed. Try scheduling breaks times and lunch during your child designated time. It will be less chaotic and more fun if you can eat together. Once break time is over, you both can resume your work.
Sleep. Know how many hours your child should sleep? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) provides some helpful guidelines regarding just how much sleep your child needs depends on their age. Children ages 6-12 should get 9 to 12 hours, and teens should be getting 8 to 10 hours nightly. We all learn better, have less mental distraction, better mood regulation, and frankly, we all easier to be around when we get the proper amount of sleep. Oh, and by the way, adults need at least 7 to 9 hours to be at our optimum performance.
We some planning, patience, and creativity we will all get through this new challenge. Some days will be easier than others. On those days, give yourself and your child a bit of grace and kindness, knowing that tomorrow will be a new day.