- Provide an Environment Conducive to Learning: Set your child up in a part of the house that is (mostly) free of distractions and that is easily monitored with little interruption. Try to model a classroom setting as much as possible- dressed for the day, sitting at a table, lights on, electronics (except for school computer) off, toys put away, etc. Background noise or calming music can often help. Make sure that they have all their learning materials in this place- log in passwords, computer, pencils, post-it notes, paper, notebooks, etc.
- Set a Learning Schedule: The closer this is to a ‘school schedule,’ the easier it will be on everyone- especially when we moved to hybrid learning. In terms of setting up the schedule students often benefit from starting the day with the most difficult subject and moving on to the ones they like the most. This builds in self- motivation. Of course, this may need to work around any Zoom Meetings scheduled. It may also benefit your child if they can cross completed items off a to do list. Finally, note that this schedule can revised to fit your circumstance at home (your work schedule, sleeping schedules, etc.). However once you have got something that works, stick to it.
- Use a Timer: Let your child decide how much time they need to get an assignment finished (or you make this decision if necessary.) Remember that children can concentrate on one task for two to five minutes per year old. (So an 8 year old should be able to work for 16-40 minutes.) Then set the timer and let them work independently. Do not check up on them during this time. By constantly checking on them, you might send the message that you do not think they can do it on their own. At the end of the timer, go over what they were able to complete. Celebrate what they accomplished. If the work is not finished, ask how much more time they might need and reset the timer. If the child keeps asking for help before the timer is up, you may need to reduce the amount of time for them to work independently. Also, remember to give them a brain break (1-3 minutes) between subjects. Do a few jumping jacks, take a walk around the house, or pet the cat or dog before starting the next task.
- Teach Your Child How To Get Help: Your child's teacher(s) are available to help, but can only assist if they know your child is struggling. Teach your child how to "raise their hand" and ask for help themselves. Self-advocacy is an important life skill and now is a great time to teach it! Show them how to send their teacher an email through their school account or how to send a message through the Canvas Inbox. Help them make a list of questions to ask during their next Zoom meeting. You job is not to solve all of their problems, but to teach them how to solve problems on their own.
- Make sure all work is completed: One of the easiest ways to see if there are missing on-line assignments is to utilize the "Grades" page under each course in the Canvas Parent App or through your child's student Canvas account. It's also a good idea to teach your kids how to check for missing assignments this way. This provides a running list of all assignments and lets you know which items were turned in and which were not submitted. Please note that these assignments may not sync with PowerSchool and that is ok. Use this as a quick tool to help your child meet deadlines. For any work that remains incomplete ensure that it is incomplete for a good reason and has a time-bound, actionable next-step (e.g., email the teacher asking for clarification).
Please let us know if these tips help. Also, if you wish to share other ideas that have led to your child's success, please leave them in the comments! Sharing is caring.
A ten minutes break between two subjects works better and doing reading the assignment list before watching the video so that during the video you can just pause and do the assignment so by time the videos over the child has completed their assignment as well and all you have to do is submit it!
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