Helping Students Work Through Remote Learning Frustration

It has been nearly a year since the coronavirus took hold of the world and turned everything upside down. Schools had to figure out how to quickly shift learning online and teach students remotely. While some in-person learning has resumed, remote learning is still happening as well.

It comes as no surprise that some students have become frustrated with this approach and are having trouble staying engaged. Hybrid and remote plans are not the same as learning in person, and not ideal for all students. But it is important to make the best of the situation and help your student work through their frustrations:

· Validate their feelings

Sometimes students just need someone to listen and reassure them that what they are feeling is normal. Give them the chance to vent and be mad or sad or disappointed or whatever else they are feeling. But then encourage them to also see the positives, brush themselves off, and keep trying their best.

· Remind them that it is only temporary

Things will not be this way forever, even if it seems that way right now. Students will eventually return to the classroom, though it may not look exactly the same as it did before. Be patient and trust that schools are doing their best to get students and teachers safely back to in-person learning.

· Try a different approach

If your child has been following the same routine all year, maybe it’s time for a change. Let them set up their workspace in a different spot in the house for a change of scenery. Try creating a standing desk so they have more flexibility to move around. Let them read Shakespeare to the family dog or draw pictures on their flashcards to help with studying.

· Take a break

Working on a difficult assignment that your child doesn’t understand — or doesn’t think they understand — can certainly lead to frustration. Let them get up and take a short break. Listen to a favorite song, make a snack, go get the mail, or just stretch outside in the fresh air. Something to calm their mind. Work on a different task instead where they will be more successful, then come back to the challenging one.

· Team up

Have your child pair up with a friend who has the same class and study or work on homework together. They can compare notes and explain things to one another. If you feel comfortable, they can do this in person, or over a video call. Collaborating with a friend can make things more fun and less stressful.

· Find other resources

Help your student make sense of what they are doing by finding different ways to present the material. Do (safe) science experiments in your kitchen. Practice math skills while baking, calculating how much money they need to save for something they want to buy, or figuring out if there is enough space to reorganize their room. Read books, watch videos, or take a virtual fieldtrip to expand on what they are learning.

· Participate in tutoring

It might not be that your child doesn’t understand the material, just that they are having trouble applying what they have learned, or taking effective notes. A tutor can help them stay organized, find strategies that work for their learning style, and give them one-on-one attention to ask questions and prepare for tests.

Crafting Scholars works closely with each student to determine how they learn best and what areas they are struggling in. We collaborate with teachers to integrate custom lessons with their current unit of study to provide additional support. We show students that they are capable of more than they realize. If your child is frustrated and having trouble academically, contact Crafting Scholars to learn more about how our learning specialists can help. We meet your child where they are at and offer both in-person and online sessions.