April 06, 2020

10 Tips to Support Your Distance Learner

April 06, 2020/ Ronnie Sharpe

Distance Learning is much more challenging than any of us thought. The concept might seem simple but in reality, it’s overwhelming and frustrating. As a 6th grade teacher, mother of 3 teenagers and a former distance learner, give your family the best chance with these top ten tips, and try not to let the stress get to you! You've got this.

Take Care of Yourself

You cannot help anyone else if your basic needs are not being met. This sounds like common sense but it’s easier said than done. This includes adhering to a regular sleep schedule for the family. This can be VERY challenging. I have a nocturnal 19 year old home from college. It also means getting exercise everyday and eating a healthy diet. Click here to see my favorite free online workout video.

**Understand the “Deliverable”**

Often the most challenging thing regarding classwork in distance learning is understanding exactly what you need to do and how to turn it in. It is a steep learning curve, but, each week I have noticed a significant improvement with my own students.

**Know the Schedule**

Keep track of when there are meetings and if classes are on Zoom or Google Hangouts. Post a schedule where everyone can easily see it. Encourage your student to set reminders 5 minutes before meetings so they can get prepared in advance.

**Students Need Company**

Elementary age children (grades K-5) need company and encouragement. Putting a young child in their room with an electronic device and expect them to manage independently is unrealistic for most kids. My own kids did homework in a common area until they were in upper middle school and high school. We are social creatures and sometimes having another person in the room is enough to keep us on track and focused.

**Empower Your Student**

Encourage them to answer their own questions with the resources they have available to them. By allowing them to solve their own problems is an important teaching opportunity.

**Encourage Independence**

Let your child do and turn in their own school work with your support, but, do not correct or do your child’s homework for them, even if you know it contains mistakes. Children learn the most when they make mistakes and have the chance to correct it themselves.

**Designate Family “Theme” Days**

For example, Thursday is “Game Night”, Friday is “Movie Night”, Sunday is “Baking” night (my boys have been surprisingly into this.) Tuesday is “Taco Tuesday”. Everyone needs structure and something to look forward to.

**Manage Frustration**

If your child becomes frustrated, it’s time to STOP. Students in 6-12 grade can email their teacher that they need a break and will talk about the assignment at a later time. For younger kids, a parent should communicate to the teacher and come up with a manageable plan to support the student.

**Give Kids Responsibility**

Children should have responsibilities around the house they are accountable for and that contribute to the family. This is really important. Everyone needs purpose and to do some “work”. It makes us feel valuable.

**Read For at Least 20 Minutes Every Day**

The number of words a child absorbs into their brain from the day they are born to the day they take college entrance exams is DIRECTLY related to how well they do on those tests. I require my students to have a “Free Read” book that is not related to what we are doing in class at all times.

Children have a special talent for pulling their parents into a power struggle in a Nano-Second! Kids want to feel supported, not controlled. To use a sports analogy, you are their cheerleader, but they are playing in the game and the teacher is the coach calling the plays.

I hope you find this helpful. Good luck and remember, we are all in this together.