As thousands of parents attempt to navigate through the barrage of information from schools about Google Classroom, SeeSaw and other programs being used in an attempt to keep our kids learning during this crisis, we should not lose sight of the fact that most of us are not trained teachers, and even those that are, it is very different teaching your own children as it is to teach others.
With schools across the globe closing, we want our kids to keep up with their education to some degree so when they return at the end of this history-making period, they’ve achieved more than simply having added more content to their TikTok accounts. And parents hoping to emerge with their sanity intact, not raging alcoholics, and just be patient for now until we can celebrate when they all return to school.
Here are some tips that may help guide you in this unknown journey...
1. Be organised and flexible! These are key skills as parents, especially those who have been tossed into a world they probably know nothing about. Teachers spend time on planning and have figured out what works and what doesn't. Parents have not been awarded this luxury, so figuring it out as we go along is the best we’ve got.
2. Find what works for your kids and run with that, if it doesn’t work, alter it to fit your new life.
3. Keeping some level of consistency so your kids become familiar with how their new routines are going to run. This will help keep them focused and develop their skills of independent learning. Of course, as parents, we are there to assist, but avoid falling into the trap of them expecting you to help with every facet of their learning. Some parents are still working from home, so schedule breaks together and get out into the yard for some exercise.
4. Schools have been efficient in setting up their students’ remote learning, but also use any paper-based materials your school may have provided. I received a full page of login details for my child, of various programs and apps used at school, which was concerning. Writing things by hand establishes stronger memories and a better understanding of what’s being learnt, so ensure these are incorporated.
5. Foremost, must be the wellbeing of our children. Even though this virus seems, at the moment, to have little effect on children, they are not immune to the fear that surrounds COVID-19. The best way to handle it is to be honest, listen and empathise with their fears in a truthful, age-appropriate way. Giving them back some control of the situation by explaining what they can do to minimise risk, which is essentially practising good personal hygiene, will give them this control.
6. Allow them to stay connected to friends. In this technological age, it's easy as there is no shortage of apps to keep us connected.
7. And finally, learn from this experience, it may not be the last time we encounter something like this in our lifetimes. Stop! You’ve been forced to, so find the silver lining of this quarantine. Take stock of your life and consider what is truly important to you. Reflect on your life, and what you want to change, identify people important to you and enjoy the time with your kids. Recognise that we don’t need stuff; we need time with those we love, time spent on life experiences. Embrace simplicity and return to what’s really important to your life’s wellbeing.