They're Not "Falling Behind..."

They're not "falling behind." 

They're surviving a pandemic!

 

I saw this phrase posted on Twitter the other day, and it struck a nerve.

Well, technically, yes, they are falling behind academically from where they should be at this point in their lives. And I know that frustrates teachers, parents, and administrators. 

The pandemic has been very difficult on all of us, but the children have had their lives uprooted. Yet, many of the children don't even understand why!

They can't see their friends. They can't see their teachers. They can't have conversations. They have to sit in front of a screen, and do assignments with little or no interaction. Their parents are frustrated if they need attention or help, as they are trying to do their own work. Or worse, their parents aren't there.

Even those who are lucky enough to be in school aren't having the expected school experience. They can't sit next to each other. They can't work in small groups. They can't share materials. They have to wear masks all the time.

It is a rare child who has the self motivation to pay attention during online learning, do assignments independently, and pass them in on time. After all they're kids!

 
These poor kids!

 

Zoom fatigue is real. Depression is real. Right now, these children are struggling with far more important things than schoolwork. Yes, I'm a teacher, I really did say that, but seriously, there really are things more important than schoolwork. Their mental health, for example!

With new vaccines being released, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's not forever!

Help them to understand this... it's not easy for little ones!

 
But I hope to think of this as a time where they are growing in other areas.

It's a good time to focus on their whole well-being, not just academics.

How can we do that? Simple! Talk to them, learn what interests them, let them explore those things.

Right now, they're really needing to socialize, yet it's not easy with social distancing. Look for ways to get them talking to each other in safe ways... break out Zoom groups, socially distanced chats, and I'm sure there are other ways if we can be creative!

Here are a few other ideas to take the pressure off the academics and let children explore and learn other, important life skills:

Cooking and baking - besides the following directions and math skills, children are learning to be self-sufficient!

Take walks - As long as they're socially distanced, walking is not only good exercise, but it's a great way to explore the world.

Spend time outside - besides walking, there are plenty of outdoor places to visit and outdoor things to do that are safe and will get them breathing fresh air and getting excited about things going on around them! Children can learn about gardening, shadows, rainbows, qualities of air, properties of water, local animals, and plenty more!

Play board games - There are so many things children learn from playing board games! Just make sure you don't always let them win. Losing gracefully is an important skill!

And the most important thing we can do: Read to them! - I can't emphasize this enough. Read daily. Talk about the books. Let them choose the books. Choose books that will get them talking. Make it the best part of the day! (It's always my favorite time of the day!)

I've always been a believer that we are happier when we have something to look forward to. Right now, that's more important than ever! They might need your help with this, but I'm sure you can help the children find something positive in their future! 

You know, I truly believe the academics will level off. They won't be behind forever!

 Here are a few links to similar blog posts: 

 

What are your ideas for helping the children grow in ways other than academically during the pandemic?

Avoiding TOO MUCH Screen Time

Lots of teachers have created digital online work for their students.

People are reading books online.

People are binge watching movies and shows on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus.

This is all great stuff, but isn't this TOO MUCH screen time?

Technology is fabulous! Thanks to technology, our children can continue learning during the pandemic. They can go to interesting sites and have great fun interacting with friends online.

But enough is enough!

Studies show too much screen time can create posture problems, vision issues, mood swings, sleep disorders, and possible social dysfunction. Because they spend so much time sitting in one place, children show lack of muscular development and often obesity. Kids (and adults) who are stagnant for too long show signs of sleepiness, crankiness and lethargy. That's a big clue to shut the screens off!

Here are some things they can do once their online lessons are done!

Board games are such fun for all involved. Plus, they involve important skills children need!  Skills like communication, strategy, patience, and problem solving may not be taught in schools, but they are certainly are needed in life! Plus, most games require a little reading and math, too!

I'm not talking about books online, (although those are also fun) I'm talking about real books! The kind you can pick up, open, read, read again, then read it to your little sister. Maybe even read to the dog! There's nothing like a real book to escape all the madness that is going on in the world like that!

Children need to have their social needs met, and that just can't happen in the "regular way" these days. True, they can use phones and computers to stay in touch on line, which is great, but who doesn't love getting a real letter!  

Here's a letter writing resource to help you out!

Classy Mail Letter Writing Template 

 

Do you realize how many skills are involved in cooking? Well, first of all, there's reading the recipe. Then there's all that measuring, counting, and fractions. Many recipes involve learning vocabulary, and even noticing some scientific chemistry changes! We all know that following directions is a skill that kiddos just can't get enough of! 

Another thing about cooking... it has its own reward when you do it well! Children are more likely to try new foods when they cook them. Plus, there's that rewarding happiness when they serve their meal to their loved ones. 

Plus, it usually leads to some fun family time. We all need that!

Children need an opportunity to create. 

Getting away from the computer and creating is very healthy. 

What sort of creation are they passion about?  Music? Dance? Drawing? Painting? Fashion? All of the above?  There are many ways to create. Give them the materials and the time, and be sure to give them an appreciative audience!

Children may be assigned projects from school, or can create some of their own. Or perhaps, the family can work on projects together! Family crafts are fun for all involved. Or, if you want to be more productive: clean out the attic, paint the bathroom, rearrange the living room furniture or plant a garden!

Yes, you read that right, let them get bored! It's actually good for them, for one thing, it encourages them to be independent and solve their own problems. Plus, scientists say boredom leads to creativity! 

So, if they run out of schoolwork, get them off the screens and let them go! Watch your geniuses at work!

Here's another blog post, giving more information about the advantages of letting children be bored:

Let Them Get BORED!

Here's a freebie list of 50 things children can do that don't use screens: Social Distancing "No Screen" Ideas

What are your "No Screen" ideas?

Surviving "Social Distancing"

Are your children home?
Are you working from home?

Are you trying to keep the children from driving you crazy while you try to work from home?

Are you going stir crazy?

Welcome to our tribe!

 

If you've been developing a whole new respect for teachers and learning how challenging "home schooling" really is,

I definitely don't have all the answers, but I do have some ideas for survival! 

 Yes, we're all stuck at home, but the kiddos need to understand this is a totally new experience: Everyone in the country has to stay 6 feet or more away from each other. This is unexplored territory! Teachers are desperately trying to figure out how to do "distant learning" and "remote learning" and parents and caretakers are trying to make it all happen. Talk to them, let them know it's all OK, and we're all learning how to do it. Mistakes will happen, and we will deal the best we can.  

They're going to have a great story to tell their grandchildren someday! (I've heard this referred to this generation's "walked two miles to school in a snowstorm" story!)

This is probably the most important thing to do in order to maintain you own sanity and help the children survive. It wouldn't hurt to write out the schedule and post it where the children can see it.

Things to schedule: meals, getting showered and dressed, school work, outdoor time, down time, social time (phone or skype), reading, exercise, and special projects. I'm sure you can think of more. Children need predictability. They also need novelty, which can seem conflicting, but necessary. Once in a while, it's ok to break the schedule, but only with the understanding that it's a special case. For example, maybe you can pick one day of the week to hang out in jammies all day!

This one is going to be a tough one! Between so many distance learning programs coming from schools, activities that the children love online, games, movies, TV, and let's admit it, sometimes the best way to get anything done is to place them in front of the screen. These are all going to happen, but remember, it's not in their best interest to do this too often. Set strict guidelines for their screen time into the daily schedule, and be firm! There are plenty of things they can do that don't involve a screen! (Hint: help with housework and meals!)

 

This is baffling to children. They can't see many of the people they care about (teachers, friends, extended family) and they deserve to understand why. 

A good start might be to brainstorm how many things they touch during the day, followed by a conversation about how germs travel. If they seem anxious about the virus, acknowledge their feelings, but assure them that we will stop the virus by staying apart for a while until the virus dies out. Then we can see our friends again.

It's not easy to talk about it, especially if you have anxiety about the virus as well, but be strong, they need you! 

If you're trying to work from home, it's important to communicate this. Typically, "mom or dad at home" means fun time, but they need to know you need your uninterrupted time. 

Depending on how young the kiddos are, make sure there are times you ARE available to give them attention, and that they respect those times you are not available.

You may feel you need to keep them entertained, or that you're failing if they get bored, but science tell us that creativity happens when children get bored! If they have nothing to do, they have to create something to do! Be sure they have supplies that lead to creativity, such as paper, pencils, glue, scissors, and even paint. Of course, anything in the recycling bin is free game! 

You may be pleasantly surprised with their solution to boredom! 

Just a reminder: boredom is NOT an excuse to avoid schoolwork!

 

I know how hard it is to remain positive when you're frustrated and exhausted! But you're the adult. You can scream and cry (or other, more socially acceptable means of letting off steam) when they're asleep, but while they are watching you, it's important that you continue to smile and be positive in front of them. 

Be firm when they need to do school work, and be there for them when they need it. 

I know, it's hard, but they need you to be positive.

 Your children are precious. This may seem like a terrible burden, and a terrifying situation. 

But it's also a gift. It's extra time with your children. 

Enjoy them!

Here's an informational brochure with lots of information: 

Parent Communication Brochure: Social Distancing Edition

 

Keep Them Healthy and Learning

It's that time of year! 

There are plenty of germs around, and it's likely they're sneezing on each other, as well as their teachers!

Typically, my blog posts are directed at teachers, but this one is for teachers, parents, and caregivers. 

If you're home with little ones, or if you're sending work home to little ones, this is a great time to teach them about looking out for germs and protecting themselves. Here are some great books: 

      

And some great videos for them to watch... the key is handwashing: do it right and do it often!

 

 

Some other suggestions if you have kiddos home for an extended time:

1. Establish a schedule! Set aside a time for reading, writing, educational games, and even a little screen time.

 2.  Make sure they get outside to play! That fresh air is more important than ever!

3. Social time! Although we're trying to keep them away from each other, let them FaceTime their friends. Humans are social animals, and they need each other. Social distancing can lead to loneliness. 

4. Family time! Hopefully, there's time to enjoy each other. Board games and puzzles are perfect ways to have family fun. If you're adventurous, do some baking with the kiddos, or even some crafts!

5. Be sensitive to their worries! It's a good idea to see this time as an "adventure," but understand that they really do know why this is happening, and may have worries and anxiety over the situation. Let them talk about their feelings, but try to help keep them from dwelling on their negative feelings

6. Address your own concerns as well! I don't think any of us have ever experienced a pandemic quite like this before! Luckily, we have the internet to keep us from becoming socially isolated. Try to follow the same expectations we have for the kiddos: avoid too much screen time, stay active, stay social as much as you can, and don't dwell on the "what ifs."  

7. Check in on others! This is a hard time for all of us. Think of the elderly, and those with physical limitations. Reach out to working parents who are struggling to find child care. Help out those families who won't be fed breakfast and lunch at school for a few weeks. Many people are suffering financial loss at this time. How can we help them?

 A few other resources to share to keep children learning:

This is one of my newer Boom Learning resources that I've set for free because of the need for online learning during the Coronavirus crisis.  Enjoy!  Healthy Habits Digital Task Cards 

 If you enjoy the Boom Learning platform, here is a link to more Boom Learning Resources.

 I've also set this resource for free during this crisis. Let's keep these kiddos thinking about staying healthy! 

Healthy Habits: a booklet for visualization, illustration, and discussion

I also have a several resources that are free, that can be sent home for fun work! See these resources HERE: Free Resources

I also wanted to let you know my TpT store will be on sale for the next few days at 20% off to help you out during this crazy time. I hope this helps!

And please, reach out to others. Let this crisis show who you really are. Let it bring out the best in us.