Staying Positive in the Midst of Remote Learning

What school would look like come fall remained a mystery throughout much of the summer. Districts were planning for every possible scenario, ensuring they had the right resources and approaches in place to keep students, families, and teachers as safe as possible. Many school districts have opted to start the year with remote learning. Although this is not ideal for all students and parents, it is the reality of what learning will look like, at least for the next few weeks.

A lot of families struggled with the emergency shift to remote learning in the spring, but school districts have had a lot more time to prepare this time around and create a smoother process. But that doesn’t mean that students and parents alike aren’t feeling the stress. If remote learning has you feeling overwhelmed, here are some tips for coping and staying positive:

Remember That You Are Not Alone

Every family is having to adjust. Whether you have the ability to stay home and assist your child, are trying to do your job from home while helping them, or don’t have the option of working from home, you are not alone. Reach out to other parents to connect, support one another, and share strategies that you have found helpful. You can learn a lot from one another, access new resources, and forge a bond knowing others are facing similar challenges. You may even be able to work together to figure out a plan for remote learning success.

Take a Break

If your child (and you) are getting frustrated with technology or trying to figure out an assignment, take a step back and regroup. Stop what you are doing and clear your head. Go on a quick walk outside, switch to a different task, take a snack break, or do some deep breathing exercises. Even spending a few minutes in a different room to get a change of scenery can help. Your child does not have to spend 8 hours sitting in front of a computer screen. They can come back and work on something later or do some non-screen activities for a while.

Talk to The Teacher

Communication is essential, especially in a remote environment. Work with your child’s teacher, not against them. If you’re having trouble with certain technology or platforms, let them know. See if they can give you some pointers or walk you through it. If you have to work too and can’t sit down to help your child with assignments until after dinner, tell them that. It’s important for everyone to be flexible. While there will likely be some synchronous learning going on, there will also be tasks for your child to do independently at their own pace. Work together to make sure your child is able to stay on track with assignments and due dates.

Your child’s teacher can also be a good resource to let you know what the expectations are and what realistically should be happening. They can often ease a lot of your fears about your child not doing enough or not learning enough. Talk things through so you’re on the same page and not trying to hold yourself or your child to unrealistic standards.

Get Extra Help

Once again — you are not alone. You’re not expected to know and do everything. Take advantage of other resources available to you. Perhaps you have friends who are great at certain subjects and can support your child. Maybe they can chat online or over FaceTime with a friend and work through a tough assignment together. Utilize tutoring programs like Crafting Scholars to bridge gaps, get supplemental support, and have someone work one-on-one or in a small group with your child on course content, time management, organizational skills, and more. When everyone works together, students can be more successful.

Remote learning is a new adventure for everyone. Contact Crafting Scholars to learn more about how we can be part of your child’s academic support network and provide them with assistance to meet their unique needs.