5 Ways to Better Prepare Parents for Virtual Learning | Fall 2020
Hi Mommas! Guess who’s back? LOL! I’ve been busy enjoying summer, spending time with my boys and husband, and preparing for fall virtual learning. By now many of you have either started the fall school year or are preparing to start school within the next two weeks. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen glimpses of my son’s room makeovers complete with DIY painting projects, wallpaper installation, and building furniture...more to come on that.
While I’m relieved that I finally got their learning spaces together, seeing their actual virtual learning schedules combined with my work schedule, is actually a daunting task. I’m wondering if I’m making this a bigger deal than it needs to be especially since this is our second time virtual learning. In the spring we were all knocked on our butts with what we thought would be a few weeks of virtual learning. Instead, we completed 2.5 months of virtual learning and had to balance work and life. When I tell you I wasn’t ready, I truly wasn’t ready!
Now it’s the start of a new school year and Rona is still around forcing parents everywhere to endure another semester of virtual learning. This should be simple right? I mean we’ve done this before, right? Well, if you’re anything like me you’re actually feeling a tad bit overwhelmed, or in some cases, extremely overwhelmed. Either way, please know we don’t have to feel anxiety about the upcoming school year. I was reflecting on my personal virtual learning journey and how my kids are entering high school and middle school. There are strategies for preparing ourselves to have a successful virtual learning experience. Of course, I’m here to share my personal lessons learned and tips for how I’m preparing myself for the start of a virtual school year.
Reflect on Last Year in a Formal Way
Like I said before, the spring semester was totally unexpected and did a number on us parents. Therefore, being the project manager that I am, I believe parents should conduct a formal lessons learned or retrospective from the spring. Think and write down what went well, what did not go well, proposed solutions for improvements, and areas where you may need additional support. Then, gather your child(ren) and have a discussion about the spring semester. You can make it a fun activity by having your kids write their thoughts on post-it notes and place them in categories, or break out the white board and color markers. The goal is for everyone to openly discussed successes and failures during the spring. It’s important to listen to you child(ren) so that you’re able to understand their challenges and successes so that you can continue to motivate them during the fall.
Get Your Mind Right
You read that right, get your mind right!! These kids are virtual learning and there’s nothing we can do about it. COVID-19 isn’t going to leave anytime soon, so all we can do is accept our new normal and get our minds right. I’m spending a lot of time in prayer asking God to fill me with patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control. I’m also viewing virtual learning as a challenge because I love a good challenge. When faced with a challenge, you do your research, plan, train, and write down goals. Preparing yourself for virtual learning should be no different. So wake up early, plan the day, pray for God to fill in the gaps where you’re weak, and set goals for yourself and children.
Create a Specific Learning Space for Your Child(ren)
In the spring I learned very quickly that my kids don’t have a specific space for their school work. Actually they didn’t even have a desk! Homework and school work is often done at our kitchen island or the dining room table (don’t judge me). It was very difficult for all four of us to take Zoom meetings and work calls in the same spaces. The kid’s school work and laptops were all over our house, and I found myself getting irritable and stressed. So this fall, I’m doing things differently by arranging a learning space for each of my boys. I purchased desks, chairs, wall calendars, and created a work nook in each of their rooms. My goal is for them to have a comfortable space to learn, while not taking over my entire house! Now I do understand that we all have varying budgets and some may not be able to makeover a room or buy a new desk. If that’s the case for you, don’t worry you can still create a space for your kids. Try choosing a corner in your home, lay a blanket and pillows down, make DIY motivational posters, pick up accessories at the Dollar Store. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a great learning environment for your child.
Set-Up Processes that Support Independence
With my children being 14 and 11 years old, independence is one of my top parenting priorities. The great thing about having older kids is that they can do things by themselves and virtual learning should be no different. Before kids can be independent, us parents have to train and teach them. For me that means using the “I do”, “we do”, and “you do” method. Examples include teaching them how to set an alarm, showing them how to populate their calendars, teaching them how to make a sandwich or use the microwave, or even how to write a to-do list. Another example includes first showing your child how to set an alarm. I will set the alarm for my child every night. The following week, my child and I will set the alarm together. Then, my child will set the alarm by himself/herself. My goals are for my boys to be able to wake themselves up, make their own lunches, and login to school without me. Whatever you want your child to be independent at, take the time to plan and teach them while understanding that developing independence in a child is not something that happens overnight.
Get the Right Technology in Place Early
For middle and high schoolers technology is key to their virtual learning as I anticipate the majority of their school work being online. Therefore, I got their technology early. I bought headsets for each child because in the spring we were all talking over each other and our devices were echoing. I also made sure to apply for the school’s Chromebooks early so my kids would not be waitlisted. If you are unable to purchase a laptop or internet, check your school and take advantage of loaner programs. Also, there are several local organizations giving away free laptops and office supplies for families in need. The key is to avoid waiting until the last minute.
Be Optimistic and Keep an Open Mind
Despite my feelings of worry and being overwhelmed, I am overall optimistic about the school year. If you have a pessimistic attitude, then you and your kids will have a negative experience. Expect the best possible experience while keeping an open mind to change. Virtual learning is new to schools, teachers, parents, and students; this literally has never been done on this large of a scale. With that in mind, be open to things like change in schedules or technology issues. Most of all, assume the best in administrators, teachers, and even your child(ren).
Virtual learning does not have to be a stressful experience for parents. With proper planning, preparation, and an optimistic attitude us parents can not only set ourselves up with a successful start of the school year, but also create a positive and memorable learning experience for our child(ren).