Parents connecting with their young children and teens: Increasing educational success in distance learning
In the uncertainty amid the crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families struggle to reach effective strategies to support their young children and adolescents to be successful in education after the challenges that distance learning brings.
The global health crisis of COVID-19 forced families and individuals to do too many changes that we never imagined we would experience in education with our children but also in our jobs and lifestyles. The experts' opinion about the pandemic has shown us that all this has caused an increment of desperation, anxiety, and stress not just for the parents, but for young children and adolescents as well.
Mental health practitioners suggest to parents be as honest as possible with their young children about the pandemic and its effects on education and social behavior. The process of learning needs to continue, but also consider the importance of providing a sufficient amount of time for their children to have fun and play. Research has demonstrated that play supports the holistic development of children. The play: supporting child and brain development explains the benefits of play for healthy development, growth, and learning of children. Play becomes an essential relief for young children for developing resilience, confidence, problem-solving skills, and creativity. It also provides relaxation and benefits for mental health.
The brain of young children adapts to new challenges and experiences. Parents only need to be supportive and responsive to fulfill their needs and contribute positively to the process. Remember that all this is temporary, but right now we need to put all our efforts into doing the best for our children in this new norm.
Parents need to be prepared to face more changes. Also, be aware of the increment in stress or anxiety in their children. Being patient, communicating with honesty, and modeling healthy and positive ways for managing these emotions contribute appropriately enough to overcome together the challenges that may arise. Observe if your child presents physical symptoms and changes in behavior. To find quick and proven tips on how your actions and words support your interactions between you and your children in getting positive outcomes and increasing the love and bonding read Establishing positive relationships with children. Positively connecting with your children strengthens the parent-child relationship contributing to healthy brain and child development.
It is also beneficial to establish a routine for time for learning and free time. Do not forget that free time is always a learning opportunity, so allow it! To the extent possible, prepare and organize a space for schoolwork and learning. Keep open communication with teachers for suggestions on how you could be proactive in this process of distance learning. Also, find support groups of other parents that are going through the same challenges, and in this way, they can share creative and effective ideas for these purposes.
After having explained some tips for parents on addressing the process of distance learning with their young children, I want to add other recommendations for parents who have adolescents. Adolescents are not exempted from feeling the same negative emotions as young children in the face of anticipated changes in their education and their social needs sharing with friends and other peers. Bernardo Salcido III, as a teacher, coach, administrator, father, and author of ConnecTEEN Establishing Healthy Relationships at Home gives some recommendations for which he calls Distance Learning 2.0. Bernardo divided his recommendations into four major areas: space, schedule, options, and check-in.
1. Space
Discuss and carve out a space that your teen will use whenever it is time for “school.” This should be the same place each day and create physical learning that when they are in this space it means school work. Consider distractions, lighting, and airflow to keep them focused and awake.
2. Schedule
Provide options of what a reasonable schedule would look like and have them choose the one that they like best. Make sure to nail down expectations of times for getting up, doing exercise, breaks, lunch, and of course actual classwork.
3. Options
If the local school option is sounding daunting, don’t be afraid to ask around about other educational settings. There could be a charter school, independent study program, or even a private school that has a different approach that matches your teen's learning style.
4. Check-in
Each day is going to be crucial so assignments don’t pile up and become overwhelming. Avoid a basic “you get things done” and ask more pointedly “What did you have to do for Math class,” or “What did your teacher explain in today’s video.”
Recognizing distance learning as a challenge brings a lot of opportunities to model behaviors to learning together. Distance learning is not just for children and adolescents, it also involves parents and caregivers. Besides parents and caregivers, the experience is a challenge, and a learning opportunity also for teachers, and administrators. As adults here in this new process of learning, let's keep positive attitudes to make this journey more enjoyable and less stressful. Set your mind to do the best you can. Be aware that making mistakes is part of this whole process of learning. As this situation is completely new, remember that it is normal to experiment with feelings of stress, anxiety, concerns, and worries. It also could be more difficult at first. Practice makes the situation more familiar and you will be able to manage it better each time. We know you can do this and we are here to support you!
Diana A. Rivera is an Early Childhood Educator, with graduate studies in Educational Psychologist, and author of Be the voice for children. Diana believes and commits to the healthy development, growth, well-being, and learning of all children. The blog posts share ideas and knowledge about educational psychology, child and brain development, parenting, diversity, effective teaching practices, early childhood education, and care to support the empowerment of children and families.
Parents supporting young children
Mental health practitioners suggest to parents be as honest as possible with their young children about the pandemic and its effects on education and social behavior. The process of learning needs to continue, but also consider the importance of providing a sufficient amount of time for their children to have fun and play. Research has demonstrated that play supports the holistic development of children. The play: supporting child and brain development explains the benefits of play for healthy development, growth, and learning of children. Play becomes an essential relief for young children for developing resilience, confidence, problem-solving skills, and creativity. It also provides relaxation and benefits for mental health. The brain of young children adapts to new challenges and experiences. Parents only need to be supportive and responsive to fulfill their needs and contribute positively to the process. Remember that all this is temporary, but right now we need to put all our efforts into doing the best for our children in this new norm.
Parents need to be prepared to face more changes. Also, be aware of the increment in stress or anxiety in their children. Being patient, communicating with honesty, and modeling healthy and positive ways for managing these emotions contribute appropriately enough to overcome together the challenges that may arise. Observe if your child presents physical symptoms and changes in behavior. To find quick and proven tips on how your actions and words support your interactions between you and your children in getting positive outcomes and increasing the love and bonding read Establishing positive relationships with children. Positively connecting with your children strengthens the parent-child relationship contributing to healthy brain and child development.
It is also beneficial to establish a routine for time for learning and free time. Do not forget that free time is always a learning opportunity, so allow it! To the extent possible, prepare and organize a space for schoolwork and learning. Keep open communication with teachers for suggestions on how you could be proactive in this process of distance learning. Also, find support groups of other parents that are going through the same challenges, and in this way, they can share creative and effective ideas for these purposes.
Parents supporting adolescents
After having explained some tips for parents on addressing the process of distance learning with their young children, I want to add other recommendations for parents who have adolescents. Adolescents are not exempted from feeling the same negative emotions as young children in the face of anticipated changes in their education and their social needs sharing with friends and other peers. Bernardo Salcido III, as a teacher, coach, administrator, father, and author of ConnecTEEN Establishing Healthy Relationships at Home gives some recommendations for which he calls Distance Learning 2.0. Bernardo divided his recommendations into four major areas: space, schedule, options, and check-in.
1. Space
Discuss and carve out a space that your teen will use whenever it is time for “school.” This should be the same place each day and create physical learning that when they are in this space it means school work. Consider distractions, lighting, and airflow to keep them focused and awake.
2. Schedule
Provide options of what a reasonable schedule would look like and have them choose the one that they like best. Make sure to nail down expectations of times for getting up, doing exercise, breaks, lunch, and of course actual classwork.
3. Options
If the local school option is sounding daunting, don’t be afraid to ask around about other educational settings. There could be a charter school, independent study program, or even a private school that has a different approach that matches your teen's learning style.
4. Check-in
Each day is going to be crucial so assignments don’t pile up and become overwhelming. Avoid a basic “you get things done” and ask more pointedly “What did you have to do for Math class,” or “What did your teacher explain in today’s video.”
Recognizing distance learning as a challenge brings a lot of opportunities to model behaviors to learning together. Distance learning is not just for children and adolescents, it also involves parents and caregivers. Besides parents and caregivers, the experience is a challenge, and a learning opportunity also for teachers, and administrators. As adults here in this new process of learning, let's keep positive attitudes to make this journey more enjoyable and less stressful. Set your mind to do the best you can. Be aware that making mistakes is part of this whole process of learning. As this situation is completely new, remember that it is normal to experiment with feelings of stress, anxiety, concerns, and worries. It also could be more difficult at first. Practice makes the situation more familiar and you will be able to manage it better each time. We know you can do this and we are here to support you!
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