Musings | AARGH! Remote Learning
It’s probably fair to say that you’re going to need more than mindfulness to survive round two of remote learning. The image at the right is likely a fair representation of how you feel about remote education, the third wave, and this pandemic mess altogether.
You are not alone. Most parents probably feel like this in general. And now it is remote learning time again.
However, since we did this last time, we know a bit more about it and how it works. So, where we were blindly stumbling before, now at least the blinders are off. See below for ideas and tips around remote learning, how physical activity can help, and reminders about the challenges that happen at everyone’s house, not just yours (although it never really feels that way).
Working at home and home-schooling kids at the same time is not easy. We are already tired and frustrated (AAARGH!)
Remember that kids do not need to be doing schoolwork for hours a day. In fact, for kids in kindergarten to grade 5, the range of recommended home study time ranges from 20 to 120 minutes. Check out this article for more info (and the recommendations for the older grades as well).
Learning happens in many ways: reading stories, building with lego, exploring outside, through movement, and playing games (board games, card games, or active games). Be creative and try to have fun with it.
“Exercise is like fertilizer for the brain; it’s so good, it’s like Miracle-Gro.” (John Raty, Harvard researcher). Physical activity is critical for development, and it supports mental health. PLUS, being physically active before learning makes kids tired and enhances their focus and learning! True Story (check out this 15-minute Ted Talk to learn how and why). Try doing 15-20 minutes of activity with your kids before a learning session. Not sure how? It is easier than you think. Fit Kids Healthy Kids has excellent resources for teaching physical literacy skills and games you can play inside and outside. Go Noodle is an online tool with activities you can do in your living room. Being active with your kids is good for you too!
TV is ok. We have movie time every afternoon at our house – it provides quiet time for the kids and (usually) 60-90 minutes of quiet work time for the grownups.
Your house will probably look like a war zone. There are several reasons for this. First, all the people who live in it are home all the time – humans can be (are) messy – especially the smaller ones. Second, you are trying to do your job, manage kids, feed them, distract them and clean up the messes they create while you are working, and they are supposed to be doing what you asked - not be redecorating the living room with tape, construction paper, glue and markers (yep this happened – more than once) and third this schedule is kicking your butt, and by the time it is possible to clean, sleep is much more inviting and quite frankly, necessary.
As much as you can adjust your schedule, you don’t have to do too many things simultaneously. Can you split your workday up to work when kids are sleeping or having quiet time? Can you split your day up with your partner? It is a big load, but it can be more manageable if you can do one thing or maybe two things at a time and take a flexible approach.
Remember – whatever you can do in this situation is enough. Seriously - whatever you can do in this situation is enough. You are doing your best. And that is enough. It really is enough. Really. For Real. Hug your kids. Give yourself a high 5, share some ice cream and take a big breath. We’ve got some tips on the next page to help you out. It may feel like yours is the only house in chaos, but we are all in this together.
Resources & Sources
Parent Support
8 breathing exercises to reduce anxiety (these are quick, and you can do them with your kids)
Physical Activity
Want Smarter, Healthier Kids? Try Physical Education (15-minute Ted Talk)
Go Noodle (you will need to subscribe, it is free)
Fit Kids Healthy Kids – Safe At Home (you will need to subscribe, it is free)