COLORADO SPRINGS — School districts across Southern Colorado continue to switch to remote learning. For many parents it's not easy waking up to multiple kids signing on to zoom calls while working from home themselves.
Virtual learning is forcing parents to get organized, which leads to tip number one; get organized and create a learning space for kids to do their school work.
Experts say parents should also consider creating a clean space for kids to do their learning at home. At school, the kids have cubbies and storage areas or all their stuff, and a similar setup will be a tremendous help at home. Make sure all distractions are put away while organizing.
Once you create a learning space then it's time to create a visual schedule they can follow and stick to. Use a dry erase board to write out their schedules. It's important for kids to follow a routine as if they're going to school instead of lying in bed in their pajamas.
"For those students who will be engaged in some type of virtual or remote learning, schedules and routines are just as important as if they were actually going to a school house every day," said Chrys Latham, Director of College Counseling at Washington Latin Public Charter School.
Parents should also schedule breaks during the day so that their kids won't feel bogged down with homework. Breaks are really important for kids with learning and attention issues, so make sure to build those in.
"Just try to factor in time to exercise or go for a walk throughout the day to break up the hours of homework and schoolwork that they may have," Latham said.
Latham stresses that it's okay for parents to feel overwhelmed. To help curb the stress, parents should make it a point to communicate with their child's teacher. If your student is struggling in certain areas it's okay to ask for help and explore tutoring resources your child's school provides.
These tactics won't make remote learning flawless, but they can help parents, students, and educators navigate through these chaotic times.
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