Learning at Home: Expectations for Parents

1. Understand your role

Your children will achieve their best work in a quiet, comfortable, and dedicated space devoted to learning. Ideally, this will be a different space than where they normally play games or watch television.

2. Make a space for learning

Parents are not expected to take the place of their students' school teachers. Instead, parents should play a support role. A good rule of thumb is to keep your children engaged and thinking critically. Even though staying home from school might feel like a holiday, remind your children that they are not on vacation.

3. Set clear expectations

Parents should build time into their remote workday to assist with their students' learning and schedule other activities they know their children will be able to do independently. Consider scheduling "office hours" when you're available for school-related questions.

4. Encourage reading

When in doubt, have your children read. When you have time, read with them. For younger readers, consider using audiobooks. If you can't do anything else, have your children read!

5. Plan your work and work your plan

Good planning can relieve stress for both children and parents. Check-in with your kids about their plans and help them develop a written schedule not only for the day, but for the week. Help them prioritize and learn to create goals, tasks, and deadlines, just like adults do when they go to work.

6. Show empathy

Allow yourself, your children, and their teachers some latitude and grace during these unprecedented times. Understand you are not going to have all the answers and this transition is not going to be perfect. Acknowledge this is not an ideal situation for anyone and give yourself permission to be flexible.

7. Don't forget to have fun

It is rare for parents and children to have this much time together, so turn it into an opportunity for bonding. Remember, your relationship with your child is what's most important right now.

8. Ask for help

Remember that you're not alone in this journey. Don't hesitate to ask your child's teacher for tips and guidance.

9. Take regular digital recess

Make sure your children take plenty of breaks from computers in order to get time away from screens. Set alarms similar to those students would encounter at school and encourage them to get up, get some fresh air, have a snack and participate in physical activities Information derived from: www.kern.org