Back to School Tips: Virtual Learning Edition
Returning to school at the end of summer can be a challenge even under normal circumstances - and this year has been anything but normal. After several months at home due to the pandemic and work/school closures, many families are now faced with the transition back to virtual learning. Even students who are returning to school in person may participate in a hybrid schedule with virtual learning on alternating days. Here are some tips for approaching the back to school transition successfully, with specific considerations about how to do so in the context of online learning.
Establish consistent routines, including a healthy sleep schedule
Consistency, predictability, and routines are important for reducing anxiety, improving compliance, and maximizing focus. Set regular sleep and wake times, and keep these consistent despite the changing circumstances of online versus in-person learning. If your child’s sleep schedule has become disrupted over the summer, use the time remaining before school starts to gradually move bedtime earlier (15-30 minutes each night) as well as practice waking up earlier (see Sleep Foundation tips). Encourage your child to get dressed for school, instead of remaining in their pajamas for virtual learning, and eat breakfast prior to beginning the school day. Also, establish a consistent academic work schedule, even if your child’s school allows him/her to be more flexible. Be sure to incorporate lunch, snack, and movement breaks throughout the day! Additionally, given the inherent reliance on technology for most students’ learning, it will be important to deliberately plan for some daily time off screens. If your child is unsure what to do during this time, consider developing a list of offline activities in which they can engage (e.g., exercise, art, reading, gardening). To help your whole family become familiar with new routines, you may wish to create a family calendar as well as set automated reminders using Google Calendar or a personal assistant such as Google Home or Alexa.
Set up a work area for virtual learning and/or homework completion
Just as many adults have found helpful in the current work-from-home environment, it is important to help students create a dedicated space for online learning and academic assignments. While some students would certainly prefer to sit or lay in bed while they learn, this can disrupt the association of their beds with a restful sleep environment and lead to challenges with fatigue and/or distractibility (American College of Healthcare Sciences). Instead, be proactive about establishing a separate space where children can better focus and complete tasks. Be aware of issues related to internet connectivity, access to outlets, and lighting when determining an appropriate location for this academic space. The school area should be in a location with minimal distractions, and/or you may wish to invest in noise-cancelling headphones. Consider using tri-fold display boards to create visual and physical separation between siblings/peers who might be sharing the same space. You may also wish to provide file boxes, shelves, and bins in the dedicated work space to help organize materials. If their school provides a list of technology resources that will be used, you can also help your child bookmark websites, organize folders in a Google Drive, and practice using the technology (e.g., apps, websites, Google classroom) before classes start.
Foster social connections and effective communication
School is a place where children frequently have natural and spontaneous social interactions with peers. For those who won’t be attending school in person, it is essential that parents and/or children themselves are more deliberate and intentional in planning social activities. Depending on your family’s health and comfort level, consider setting up safe, physically distant playdates and small gatherings. Outdoor activities carry the lowest risk of COVID-19 transmission (CDC), so think picnics, outdoor games, and/or driveway arts and crafts activities. Additionally, parents may wish to consider collaborative learning activities or study sessions with healthy peers when possible. Beyond in-person interactions, there are also many virtual platforms through which children can connect with their peers (e.g., Zoom, WhatsApp, iMessage, Netflix watch parties). During the school day, virtual lunch sessions can also be a great option - it’s what kids are used to experiencing and can give them a bit of social “normalcy” to look forward to! Relatedly, help your child figure out the best way to communicate with their teachers between learning sessions. Will the teachers have standard “office hours” when they’re available for questions via video chat, and/or do they prefer emails? Despite the ease of access in connecting virtually, remind your child that they should contact their teachers during reasonable hours. For example, it’s unlikely that they’ll receive a helpful response related to homework if they send an email at 11 PM.
Validate your child’s feelings, model coping skills, and offer appropriate support
Ask how your child is feeling about the return to school and the specific manner in which they will do so (e.g., in person, online, or a hybrid model). If they have questions or concerns about current plans for school, work to clarify any misunderstandings or assumptions. Answer their questions with accurate and developmentally appropriate information. It’s okay to acknowledge that there may still be some uncertainty about school, including how long the current plans will be in place. Encourage your child to focus on the things they can control (e.g., preparation, work habits, and seeking support), versus focusing on issues that are out of their control. This includes practicing appropriate hygiene and safety precautions that children can take at school, in social interactions, and/or in other public settings. Praise your child’s academic engagement using a growth mindset. This means reinforcing the effort, not just the end result, and noticing in particular times when your child persists, learns from his/her mistakes, or solves a problem creatively. Be mindful of how you provide feedback, and remember that it’s just as important (if not more so) to notice and praise times that they’re on task and focused as it is to provide redirection when they’re not. Refrain from micromanaging or taking over the work; rather, scaffold your level of support to provide just enough assistance for your child to still feel successful and accomplished on his or her own.
The upcoming school year will certainly include challenges but will also provide numerous opportunities for growth, collaborative problem-solving, and increased awareness of your child’s strengths and learning style. Remember there is support available through school personnel, your social networks, and mental health professionals. Don’t hesitate to reach out to BASE for parent or child-focused assistance with creating individual/family routines, improving your child’s executive functioning skills, and/or general coping with the start of this unusual school year.
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