This has been a year unlike any other. In March 2020, most of the schools in the U.S. transitioned to distance learning.  The majority of them had very little time to plan.  Six months later schools have had time to make some improvements in distance learning.   Some schools are having  hybrid models where there is a mixture of distance learning and in person learning.  Some schools are trying to return to in person learning with precautions in place; these schools may have to return to distance learning if positive cases of Covid increase.  The situation is difficult for every family.  Most children have not been able to attend summer camp or go on  family vacations and now they are still stuck at home  starting zoom classes without in person contact with their friends or teachers.  Most extra- curricular activities like music lessons or sports teams are cancelled for this fall.  No one knows exactly when things will return to pre-pandemic life.  This is taking a toll on our nation’s families.

Distance learning is difficult. Most students learn best in person.  Children should not be sitting in front of a screen for long periods of time. There are some things you can do to make the best of this situation for your child. 

First stick to a schedule.  Your children should go to bed early enough on school nights to get enough rest for his/her age group. This should be the same time each night. They should get up at the same time on school mornings with enough time to get dressed ( no pajamas in school)and eat a healthy breakfast.  School supplies should be organized in the child’s virtual school area.  If there is a daily schedule for classes, it should be posted just like most teachers do each day.  Your child can check off classes/ assignments as they are completed.

The virtual school area should have a charged computer or IPAD, a desk, shelves and/or a bookcase ( this can be labeled) to keep supplies, paper,  a filled water bottle, text books, the day’s schedule, writing utensils (pencils, pens, crayons- depending on the age of the student), a comfortable chair and also a big ball to sit on if possible. A white board and/or a bulletin board is a nice touch.  Your child could help design the area.  When it is completely ready to use, take a photo of it.  The photo can be taped to the desk or hung up nearby so at the end of the day the child has a model of how to stay organized.

Before distance school starts, make sure your child does some exercise for 30 minutes.  It can be an activity like walking the dog, riding a bike, jumping jacks, family jogging, kicking a soccer ball, shooting hoops etc.  It is especially nice if the whole family participates.  It can be the same activity each day or a different activity for each day of the week or try an activity for a week and then switch.  Before class starts make sure your child is hydrated and fed and that the internet connection works.

Once the child is successfully connected to the class you can start your work schedule. Check in during breaks.  Have your child get up and move during breaks.  Keep in contact with the teacher.  Have your child explain what was being taught each day during dinner when family members discuss their days.  If a child can successfully explain a new concept, then he/she understands it. If there is independent work to complete, your child should write it down in a daily planner and check off assignments as they are completed. You child can also use a calendar on the laptop or IPAD.

After classes are over for the day, make sure your child gets some fresh air and time to play outside ( weather permitting) before starting independent work.  Your child should have a healthy snack also.  He/she can help prepare it.  Once he/she is ready to start the independent work, ask if there are any questions.  If there is an assignment that is confusing, the child may need to contact the teacher, or review the lesson if it was recorded. If the child has a multi- day assignment, ask him/her to write down what will be completed each day until it is due. Breaking down a larger task makes it less overwhelming and does not allow last minute procrastination.
 
When school is over if there are other activities such a musical instrument lesson or practice time, make sure your child is ready for the lesson or  blocks off time in the schedule to practice the instrument.  There should be some down time (about 30 minutes) outside or drawing or playing a board game. If there is  a friend your child is social distancing with, they might play together. They could have a short zoom playdate. After the short break, your child can start on any homework.  Your child might also have some chores or could help with dinner. 
        
After dinner, there is time to shower and read and then it is time for bed.  After being on a screen for school each day, TV watching and computer You Tubes should be kept to a minimum. The last 90 minutes before bed  should be screen free.  The whole family could choose a book to read together in lieu of TV.
       
Weekends  should be for family chores and fun time. This could be a trip to a hiking trail, bike riding and board games. Some children’s sports teams may be starting and would keep everyone busy. If there is homework, make sure your child has a plan of when to compete it. On Sundays, your child will need to  organize the distance learning school classroom to be ready for the new week.

Distance learning during the Covid 19 pandemic is not optimum.  If you stay positive, keep to a schedule and stay organized, your child will learn.  

It is mid- afternoon and Sam has just come home from school.  He  might be excited, exhausted, worried, happy or sad.  First give Sam a few minutes to decompose.  We all need that time after a hard day of work.  Then you might sit at the table and have a snack together; this is especially important for children during a growth spurt or if they have an early lunch at school and/or will be eating a late dinner. The snack should be appealing and healthy with some protein. This snack time should be a technology free time, just to catch up and listen.  Don’t pry with too many questions.  If Sam is not ready to talk about his day, you might discuss your day in the hope that he will then share what happened at school. Listen carefully and make comments like I think you said… did I understand that correctly? What would be some good ways to solve that problem?

If this is a day where there is a soccer practice or scout meeting or other activity, have Sam get ready.  If this is free afternoon, make sure that he gets to run around outside.  You can go to a nearby park or for a jog together. Sam can ride his bike or walk the dog or shoot hoops with a pal or sibling. The days are getting shorter, eventually there will be very little  daytime after school.  Being outside is invigorating. Getting physical exercise is shown to help one’s focus.  Depending on  the amount of homework, time of year and other commitments, the outside time should be 30 minutes or a little longer.  Then Sam can sit down look at his assignments and start his homework. 

Have him organize which assignment he will tackle first.  He might want to explain it to you. This will help him clarify the directions in his own mind.  While he is working you can be available to answer questions. Make sure he has a clean, quiet, distraction free area with the needed supplies for his homework.  Let him plan this area with some guidance before the school year starts.  When his homework is complete, have him put it in an organized binder or folder     (depending on what his teacher requires) and into his backpack for the next morning.  There will be less running around and looking for homework and books in the morning.

Dinner should be family time if possible. The after dinner hour can be used to complete homework, get ready for bed, maybe a quick game or 15-20 minutes of screen time (depending on your rules and Sam’s age).  Before bed, Sam can have a time to read with you and then on his own. Even older children love to hear stories.  You can discuss the book together.  It also gives Sam a chance to enjoy a story that may be too difficult to read alone.

This type of schedule keeps some of the hustle and bustle to a minimum.  Outside activities like sports and music lessons are wonderful, but every child should have some days where he or she is free to explore, make up and negotiate the rules of a  game with a sibling or neighbor, or  pick up autumn leaves for an art project.  The hurried pace  of the children in the DC area coupled with the overuse of electronics is taking a toll on our children.  They feel more anxious.  As the school year starts think about what you can do to keep your child healthy and happy.

As the summer winds down, many families are considering applying to schools for the 2016 school year. The best time to plan for the process is now, before everyone is bogged down with homework, sport practice, piano lessons, pre-school carpools and Back to School Nights.

First start to browse websites of schools that are of interest to you.  Determine when open houses and tours are given, what is needed for completed applications and when the applications are due.  Then you can start to look at your calendar and your child’s calendar to plot out the process.  Your child will visit and complete assessments for the schools.  When should these assessments be done and how many applications are enough or too many?  This is very individualized and depends upon many factors, including back-up plans if the child is not admitted to the schools he/she applied, and age, strengths, talents and needs of the child. 
    
Starting the process early is a good choice.  Independent schools are expensive.  Working with an Educational Consultant can help make sure you are making the best choice for your child.  An Educational Consultant can help you apply to the right schools to fit your unique child, help plan the process, determine the right time for testing and mange the stress that is involved with the process. ​