We have to admit, going to school virtually is HARD on children. In this article, hear a license therapist share her own experience as a mother of a virtual learner and tips that she has found helpful.
So, we are at the end of our first month of virtual school and I have one word to sum it up…. “STRESSFUL”. Now, I have firsthand knowledge on how virtual learning can be stressful on a child. Well, actually my child is a freshman in high school…so I guess I should say my teen. Can you imagine, having that excited/anxious feeling about starting high school…you were ready to go to the football games, homecoming dance, join some clubs, etc…only to be forced into a virtual learning environment due to Covid-19? As my teen says all the time “THIS SUCKS”. I agree wholeheartedly…this does suck. Not only for those in high school but the virtual learning experience is having significant impact on elementary and middle school aged children as well. So what can we do about it….I’m so glad that you asked! Here’s our 5 tips for making your child’s virtual learning tolerable:
- Routines are important. Creating a standard routine for your child to follow is crucial. Set your child’s alarm clock for the time that they would have been getting up for school and have them complete their morning routine (brush teeth, wash face, eat breakfast, etc.) This allows them to maintain some form of normalcy.
- Schedules are important. The worst feeling in the world is not knowing what to expect. What we found to be helpful is having a printout of the daily school schedule. This has provided a sense of security as it has helped my child to feel more prepared and confident about the day ahead.
- Designating space is important. If possible, designate a space in your house that can be used for school only. I know that some of us have multiple children in school and this may not be possible. Be creative. The goal is to minimize distractions. If sitting at your dining room table is the only option, find a basket or tote that they can carry their school supplies and allow them to set up their work area. After school is over, have them pack everything up and it now becomes your dining room table again.
- Stress management is important. It is so easy for children to get stressed out. I watch my child almost daily get stressed out due to virtual learning. He feels overwhelmed by the amount of course work coming at him at one time. I hear quite often “this is too much”. At that time, I encourage him to stop…walk away from the laptop…breathe…get a snack…. breathe to regroup himself…return to class. Also, it is vital that you do check ins with your child about their stress level. Ask them open ended questions about how they are feeling… “Tell me something that has made you happy…sad…stressed.” This will help you to better assess the needs of your child.
- Reassurance and praise are important. We know that we are our own worst critic and that goes for children as well. My child is hard on himself if he feels that he should have gotten a better grade (I personally thought he did well considering the circumstances). Children and teens need constant reassurance that they are doing well and everything will be okay. Find something every day to praise your child about. This will go a long way in building their self-esteem.
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Your partner in restoring your inner peace,
~ LaTesha McIntosh-Smith, MSW, LCSW