CSOA’s Picks: Tips For Virtual Back To School
As coronavirus cases continue to spike throughout Georgia many schools and universities are taking the precaution of continuing virtual learning throughout the fall in order to ensure proper social distancing and limit the number of students on campus. We are all learning to navigate this new normal – here are a few tips from our team that we hope you find helpful this school year!
Take a “First Day of School” photo”
Even though classes are starting online, you are still going to want to remember your child’s first day! Snap a quick photo before having your child get set up on the computer, this will also allow your child to remember this unconventional day.
Get ready for the school day like you normally would
It’s important to have your child get ready for virtual learning much like getting ready for school. Have them brush their teeth, comb their hair and get dressed. Starting the day this way will help put them in the right mind set to learn and be productive as well as set a routine!
Set up a learning space
This is crucial! Setting up a learning space with everything your child will need throughout the day will allow him/her to focus better and get them in the right headspace to complete their assignments for the day. We recommend a spacious desk, chair, computer stand, and a desk lamp with regard to furniture. Outfit the desk with plenty of pens/pencils, a notebook and of course, a computer with a mouse!
Allow Video Chatting with Classmates/ Teachers
Your child is used to lots of social interaction at school, so they will definitely feel the effects of being distanced from their peers and teachers after a few days. While it might not be safe for your kids to see their friends in person, you should allow them to interact with them online, beyond social media or text messaging. Video chats are often the closest thing to seeing someone in person, and are a great way to get in social time. We recommend using Facetime or Zoom to set up a video call!
Put a schedule in place
If you and your children are all doing work from your home, a schedule, for your work and your child’s work, is extremely important. To start, experts recommend keeping them on the same or similar sleeping schedule that they have when they are going into school. If a schedule was not provided by their teachers, help them write one for not only each day, but each week, as well. Having a clear vision of what is expected of your child will help them see that just because they are home does not mean they don’t have work to do. Experts recommend helping them prioritize and learn to create goals, tasks, and deadlines, just like adults do when they go to work.
Maintain breaks such as snack time and recess
Routines and schedules are extremely important for children at school, and this is no different in their at-home school. Children will function best if they maintain their routine as close to normal as possible. Setting alarms similar to those they would encounter at school can be helpful for keeping them on a schedule. Around lunch time, encourage them to get up, get some fresh air, go for a walk or bike ride, or have a snack so that they are not sedentary for the entire day.
