ProActive Tips for Schooling at Home
SCHOOL IS STARTING (in some way, shape, or form!!)
Whether your child is fully online this fall or has a hybrid model of partially at home classes and partially online, the challenge for parents is real! How do we help our kids be at their best for learning during these trying times?
1. ROUTINE! Try to keep things as normal and as scheduled as possible. Same bedtime, same wake time. Get dressed (who goes to school in their pj’s?!) Create a schedule of your day much like teachers do at school and stick to it!
2. DESIGNATE ONE AREA OF YOUR HOUSE AS THE “SCHOOL” OR “CLASSROOM” (even if it’s a corner of the living room), it helps to give boundaries and structure. In this area, cut down the sensory inputs in the environment by using low lighting, soft rhythmical music or quiet spaces. Keep visual and auditory distractions down. A small tent or a table covered with a blanket or a large empty box can work as a quiet fort.
3. Realize that if life were ordinary (what is that anymore anyway?!?), your child would have many opportunities throughout the day to experience movement which provides natural brain breaks. Every child has a different level of need for these movement breaks, so it is helpful to consider your specific child. Incorporating opportunity for these breaks throughout the day can assist in regulation and organization and help your child to stay calm and able to focus. Jumping up and down, doing jumping jacks, going outside for “recess” for 10 minutes between subjects/activities you’re working on can give just the right amount of movement needed to reset and help concentrate.
4. Deep pressure input is also calming and organizing. This can be provided by wearing a backpack (yes-even at home!) or by placing heavy objects in your child’s pockets. Jumping on pillows on the floor, building forts (class could even happen in there!), squeezing objects such as hand exercise balls, putty, a balloon filled with flour), and wheel barrow walks are great ways to provide calming/organizing heavy work.
These are definitely challenging times. Remember-this will NOT be a forever situation. If while spending all of the extra time with your child you begin to see difficulties with learning, concentration, or motor skills, please don’t hesitate to call us! We are dedicated to helping children find joy and TRHRIVE!