Is your child’s remote learning program driving you to distraction?
Are you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and annoyed by the challenges that come with supporting your child in this way at this time?
It’s ok to admit it.
You are not alone.
Here are some things to think about as you, and other parents like you, navigate Covid 19 caused remote learning.
Remember Your Role
Your child is learning remotely from school. They are not home schooling.
This is an important distinction to make, because it means you are still your child’s parent, not their teacher.
The Victorian Department of Education and Training encourages parents to “remember that no one expects you to be a subject matter expert or teacher.”
As a parent, your role is to continue to provide comfort, support and encouragement to your child during remote learning and to liaise with their teachers when and if necessary.
Routine, Routine, Routine
I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll emphasise it again, having a routine for remote learning days is vital.
Routines automate the day.
They reduce the number of repeated instructions that you will need to give to your child.
Routines encourage your child to develop independence and responsibility.
They reduce cognitive load for you and your child.
Routines reduce stress and anxiety and increase creativity and productivity.
If you haven’t yet established a remote learning routine, do it. Now.
Let Them Struggle
Do you see your children struggling with their remote learning tasks?
Good.
Neuroscientists have found that if children are not struggling, they are not learning.
Struggle is good for our brains, because it encourages neural growth and connectivity.
But parental instincts often undermine this important process.
We feel compelled to jump in and prevent our children from experiencing struggle because we don’t understand the true value of it.
Step back and let them struggle.
Your Child Is Capable
Sometime we don’t give our children enough credit.
They are far more capable than we realise or acknowledge.
This results in us assuming responsibilities which are actually responsibilities our children can manage.
The Victorian Department of Education and Training believes your child’s responsibilities during remote learning can include:
- regularly monitoring digital platforms for announcements and feedback from their teachers
- doing their best work by completing tasks with integrity and academic honesty
- doing their best to meet timelines and due dates
- communicating openly with their teachers and telling them if they have any concerns or issues
- collaborating and supporting their classmates
- continuing to abide by their school’s behaviour guidelines.
I encourage you to adopt an attitude of detached guidance with your children, so that you can support them with their responsibilities, but not take them on yourself.
Maintain Perspective
How important is your child’s academic output during remote learning?
Is it more important than your child’s emotional wellbeing?
Is your child’s academic output more important than looking after your mental health?
Is it more important than maintaining a loving and respectful parent child relationship?
Is it more important than other pressing issues in the world?
Only you can answer those questions.
But it is something to think about.
What is your opinion about these remote learning talking points?
Please post a comment here or on our Facebook page to let us know, or to share any other ideas that you have.
Any likes and shares are also appreciated as they help to spread this post to a wider audience.
Now go and have a great life.