Parents as Teachers

COVID-19 has changed our daily routines.  If you are like me; you shop differently, your sleep pattern is altered, you work from home, you are taking classes online and you are still  trying to get your hands on some Lysol. 

Are you finding it difficult to adjust to the new normal? If you are it is not surprising. We are creatures of habit. It is much easier to navigate life when we follow the same routine because we can complete our tasks without second thoughts. We could do it in our sleep.

Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night because Mother Nature was calling?  Were you able to relieve yourself, clean yourself and wash your hands and climb back into bed without turning on the lights?  Your brain was able to guide your steps (in the darkness) by executing a pattern it has become accustomed to.  Your repeated walks from the bed to your bathroom (while the lights were on) created a pattern that your brain can execute even when the lights are off. 

What would happen if you awakened and found yourself in a different place? You would have to activate a light source to find your way to the bathroom. It could take you longer to relieve yourself, depending on the size and layout of your new environment. This could lead to frustration (and maybe an accident) if your bladder has reached maximum capacity.

This frustration is what many children and their parents are now experiencing with the early end of the traditional school year.  Parents are finding it taxing trying to get kids motivated to complete assignments.  Some children see this time as an extended Spring and Summer Break. When you are on a break from school, schoolwork is the last thing on your mind. 

How do you get them back on track? You create a new routine – a new habit.  You will not be reinventing the wheel, just adapting it for the current situation.  These five suggestions will help you create a new normal for you children. 

• Re-establish or establish Bedtime and Wake-Up Times

Children need a set time for sleep.  This is essential for the physical and mental health.  Help them transition to bed by creating a routine.  The routine could be bathing, slipping into the jammies, brushing their teeth, praying (meditating or happy thoughts), sliding into bed, listening to bedtime songs or a story and a kiss and tuck from mom or dad.  If you are consistent and stick to the routine, their bodies will begin to wind down a lot faster.  This will decrease the time it takes for them to drift off to sleep – giving you more alone time.  You’re so welcome!

• Establish an Education Schedule

Contact their teacher for their weekly schedule.  What day did they have music, gym, library, guidance, and art?  What time did they have recess and lunch?

•  Use That Schedule at Home

If their wakeup time was 7:00 on a school day, get them up at 7:00.  School is still in session; the only change is the location and education staff.  I would even go as far as having them wear their uniform.  This may help them take it more seriously. If they were in the cafeteria at 8:30 eating breakfast, have them in the kitchen (dining room) eating breakfast at 8:30.  If you want to make it authentic; throw on a bonnet and apron to pass them their plate or tray (if you have some).   Take turns taking pictures for a digital yearbook summer project.

As you schedule out the daily activities, include morning announcements (today’s activities), pledges and afternoon announcements (tomorrow’s activities or family activities for the evening). 

•  Post the Schedule

Post the schedule wherever you have designated as the schoolwork zone.  This will help everyone stay on track. For younger children, you may need to use pictures and words.  Do not forget to include ZOOM meetings on your schedule if your children are participating in that.  If you have more than one child, pick one of their schedules to adopt as your schedule.

•  Include Weekly Specials

Schedule the specials once a week.  For example:

• Monday – Gym

 Find workout videos on YouTube (that will fit into the allotted time frame) and do them together.

• Tuesday – Music

If they play an instrument have them perform a piece for you or have them self-study with a teacher on YouTube – check out Dr. Selfridge Music.

• Wednesday – Art

YouTube and Pinterest are a great resource for at home crafting and art projects.

• Thursday – Guidance

Sit down and talk to your children.  Allow them to express their feelings about life, issues (local, nationally, and globally).  Try to listen and understand. 

• Friday – Library

If you have a library card you can download digital copies of books onto your mobile devices so that you can read to them or they can read for themselves.  There are also great stories available on YouTube. 

PSSSSSSST … You can check out my channel on YouTube, Chelley R.  I have videos of me reading to past students.

• Recess

Do not forget to schedule free recess time daily.  Get outside and burn off some pent-up energy.  If you can not go out, turn on some music and have a dance off battle.

Do not forgot to take pictures and videos of your activities for your digital yearbook Summer Project.  You can create a digital yearbook in Word, Power Point, Google Docs, or any program you have on your computer.  You may have to assist younger children with this.  This is a great way to memorialize your time as a teacher.  You can also print off the pictures for a scrap book if you chose. 

          Be consistent, they may resist your efforts in the beginning.  Hang in there and stick with it.  They will adjust over time.  They may even grow to enjoy having you as their teacher.

Offer them incentives to work towards like Family Movie Nights.  Prior to doing this have them come up with a name for the at home theater or just use your last name.  They will earn ‘________ bucks’ that they can use to purchase movie passes and concession stand goodies.  Your art projects could incorporate creating the passes, bucks, and menus for the concession stand.

Be patient and consistent throughout this process.  This is new territory for you and them.  You can do this; you are more capable than you realize.  You are not only educating them, but you are creating memories that will last a lifetime.  Enjoy this time together!