March 20, 2020
So, to head off some of this chaos, here are some solutions for both kids with learning issues and those that are neurotypical as well.
So what time are the kids getting to bed at night and what time are they getting up in the morning? Sports are cancelled right now, so you aren't "rushing home from things" like you used to. Get in a groove with your family. It will take some time to tweak for some families but routines help children understand expectations and it feeds their social and emotional growth.
Have meals together, like you always said you wanted to. What time is Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner? And while you are together at the meals, NO PHONES. That means parents too. CNN will still be there after you eat. Promise.
Have your kid make a to-do list or brainstorm one with them. They are used to having work lists/Schoology/Google Classroom at Paideia and they are used to seeing their day and week planned out so they know what to do and when to do it.
Help your child chunk their time. Saying, "go do whatever work you have now" can be very overwhelming for students, especially students with learning issues or attentional issues. CHUNKING TIME into 25-45 minute blocks and labeling WHAT they are going to do WHEN is much more helpful, according to brain research.
Engage your child in this process. A conversation can sound like this: "Hey, after dinner let's go for a walk so we can talk about some things. Since school is off for a while, I am worried about you getting behind in your learning. Let's come up with a plan or a schedule together, just like you have at school, so you can get through this."
Each child in your home, if possible, should have their own study PLACE. It should probably not be in their rooms if they are easily distracted. No matter where it is, it needs to be organized. When it's messy, it makes it feel like there is MORE ON THEIR PLATES. Stock it with pens, pencils, a water bottle, their printed out work list (if appropriate), and chargers for those iPads and LapTops. It will feel like a good routine if they go to the same PLACE every time to get work done. If that's not possible, try having a bucket or a box where school supplies are always going to be found, or grab a pillow and have a kid call it their study corner!
Have a WEEKLY TO DO LIST and a DAILY TO DO LIST
Have kids cross things off their lists; it's VERY satisfying to cross things off!
Read together- Family reading time is NOT just for the 6 and under crowd.
Remind your kids that this is new for you too. It's an okay time to be vulnerable with your child now. You don't have all the answers but you are navigating this together as a family and as a community here at Paideia.
Learning Specialist Grades 5-8 moore.danielle@paideiaschool.org
Paideia School | 1509 Ponce De Leon Ave, Atlanta, Georgia, 30307 |