Distance Learning: Are We Having Fun Yet?

As we approach our third week in quarantine, I am sure you are experiencing many stages of transition. Discomfort probably runs to the top of the list. Now that we are passed the initial shock of are we really doing this, it is time to get serious.

Living in the Epicenter

What I know for sure is that routine is the key to survival. I saw that Khan Academy posted an online schedule that impressed me due to its comprehensive nature. However, the most imperative part of the schedule was the first order of business:

https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vSZhOdEPAWjUQpqDkVAlJrFwxxZ9Sa6zGOq0CNRms6Z7DZNq-tQWS3OhuVCUbh_-P-WmksHAzbsrk9d/pub

Yep, believe it or not changing out of your pajamas is helpful for maintaining normalcy in an environment that is static physically but incredibly dynamic electronically. This is also not the time to be enforcing screen time minutes. This is survival mode.  Today’s child was made for this condition. And while we adults might be finding it difficult, the children are thriving.

It matters not what you choose to do in the day for your academic activities, as much as it matters that you commit to working on those choices every day at the same time of day. This is paramount for sustainability. Feeling accomplished will help stave off boredom, frustration, and isolation. I recommend that you sit down with your child the night before and plan what academic content he/she will do the next day. Build in appropriate breaks. Keeping in mind that the primary students have two 15-minute recesses a day plus a 40-minute lunch. Teachers generally build in brain breaks during their working periods. These breaks include kinesthetic movements in addition to relaxing meditation exercises. Another successful tip is to build variety into the week. With the outpour of free online resources, there is bound to be something intriguing and uniquely interesting to your young learner.

A Sample Schedule

The key is to have your child engaged with their learning process. Happy homeschooling!

Danielle