COVID-19, Distance Learning, and Tips for this "Brave New World"
We hope you are all doing well. Things are changing daily in light of COVID-19, and with so many unknown factors, we are doing everything we can to help facilitate digital learning for our students.
We are also cognizant of the added stress and upset all of this is causing for our families and students. Although we miss seeing you in person, it has been so rewarding to see everyone’s faces online! We are so grateful to be a part of your lives, and to have such advanced technology to help us connect with one another.
In addition to our regular Educational Therapy sessions, we are offering virtual homeschooling sessions. For many families, the added stress of suddenly becoming your child’s “teacher” is challenging, and we are here to help. We are available remotely, beginning at 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday, for any support you might need. If you’re interested, please contact us to schedule these additional sessions.
We’d like to share a few tips for helping us all ease into this “brave new world”(to be used only in between handwashing sessions)!
For study sessions, find a quiet space for your student to work that’s free from distractions. Headphones are really helpful as well. For younger students, having an adult or caretaker nearby is also a benefit, although we’ve found that most of our younger kiddos are masters at this medium.
Have materials available, such as paper and pencils, and any learning materials we have delivered to your home. Most of our programs are online now, so we have lots to work with within your student’s educational goals.
Set clear expectations for the amount of time they will spend with their Ed Specialist during sessions. A timer like the Time Timer from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Time-Timer-Original-Minute-Visual/dp/B07BGM91LL is a helpful way for students to “see” time go by.
Plan a physical activity before and after digital learning sessions, if possible, to offset the amount of time spent in front of a screen.
Continue morning and evening routines with set times for meals, bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth, etc. Maintaining healthy practices and sustaining regular routines bring comfort and stability.
Make time to unwind with your child. Reassure your child or teen that they are safe, and let them know it is okay if they feel afraid or upset. Sharing with them how you deal with your own stress is valuable—they can learn from you. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) offers valuable information on stress management: https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma14-4885.pdf
Remember that watching, reading, or listening to news stories (and repeating them to your children) can be upsetting. Hearing about the crisis and seeing images repeatedly makes things worse. As always, there is both accurate and inaccurate information surrounding our circumstances, and a steady media diet doesn’t help.
Engage in enjoyable activities (meal preparation, art projects, board games, puzzles, exercise, yoga, meditation, singing, journaling), and return to normal life as much as possible.
Research shows that spending time in nature lowers stress and helps create a clear mind. If weather permits, just getting outside feels amazing.
Set personal goals. Focusing on setting goals (i.e., developing your small business from home, learning to play an instrument, or mastering a foreign language) can be an incredible boost. Using your extra time intentionally, even setting aside one hour per day, can reap wonderful results.