How to Help Your Child During Coronavirus School Closures

Hello Beautiful! I hope this post finds you and your loved ones safe during this time of isolation. Since social distancing is in affect across America, social media is even more important to connect us. Students across the country have extended Spring Breaks that are already at 3 weeks long and may extend even further. Here is how to help your child, no matter how old they are, during these closures.

1. Check for their school work

As a parent you likely ask your student what their homework is. They may answer yes or no depending on their honesty level and their teacher, but now is not the time to be passive. This is not a break. No one knows how testing will be affected or the remainder of the school year, so their current work is vital to keeping their knowledge refreshed. Check for their work both on paper and online, and if they don’t have any go to Khan Academy and they have a daily schedule with content for grades PreK-12 online as well as parent guides and resources (Khan Academy Parent Resources).

2. Make a schedule for them or have a set time when you check their progress on work

Speaking of Khan Academy, although they have a daily schedule, if you’re working from home you may not be able to oversee your child for the entire day. Take this as an opportunity to build accountability in your student. You can build a daily schedule similar to Khan Academy’s or you can make a list of must-do’s (like 10 math problems, a short book report, read and explain an article, and find a science experiment you like) that you will check at the same time every day. That offers more freedom, but also shows students that they must be accountable. Remember, your child is used to a structured school day overseen by adults for ~8 hours a day, 5 days a week. The only difference is whether you encourage or dismiss their need for it at home.

3. Build in creative time for them

Students do not just go to English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. At school there are art classes, music classes, dance classes, physical education, support classes, and all kinds of things they’re interested in. Make sure your student has creative time everyday and free time to pursue passions. Education should be well rounded and if you don’t know, this is time to find out what their passions are! They may like animals so you can have them look up animal videos on YouTube and draw a picture; or if they enjoy dancing, make up a dance and remix the lyrics to their favorite song and post it on TikTok. You can even do it with them and have them teach it to you!

4. Contact their teacher(s) and check online content

If all else doesn’t work, reach out to your child’s teachers and check online content. You’d be amazed by how many educational resources are free online! Most states post curriculum for every grade level and subject level online (Georgia Department of Education-Curriculum) and then you can find accompanying resources through CK-12, Khan Academy, YouTube, Kuta Math, and more. Also this may help with making sure your child gets what they need to be successful in the classroom when they return, with make up work opportunities and mastering content their teacher couldn’t stay on for longer. You can personalize your child’s education from home!

5. Reach out if you need help!

No, you do not have a teaching certificate and no you are not under contract with a school system, but you teach your child more than you know. If you struggle with certain subjects or topics, be honest with your child and work with them to overcome their struggles and yours. Your children will learn from watching you strengthen your weaknesses.

Despite how much teachers get paid, and how they are treated, a lot of time, preparation, and education goes into being an effective educator. What I’m asking you to do for you children, they do for multiple children 40 hours a day/5 days a week. So when teacher appreciation week gets here, show them a little appreciation for the job they do to not only babysit for you, but also to give your child meaningful lessons that will pave the way to their future. Help them help your child.

THIS IS NOT A BREAK! DON’T LET YOUR KIDS FALL BEHIND.

Stay Safe and Be Blessed

Kireon