If your child has special accommodations, like an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan, they are still eligible for those services during remote learning. Summer is a great time to reach out to the teachers and staff responsible for these plans with your questions. Schools should have concrete methods for how to offer accommodations remotely and what you can do to make online learning a better experience for your child.
2. Search for Supplemental Resources Online
The move to remote learning has been challenging for everyone, especially students who may have a more hands-on or self-directed learning style. As a parent, you know that your child has their own way of learning and their own interests. Supplementing their education with online learning resources can help them study more effectively by offering alternative explanations for challenging concepts, providing quality “edutainment” to make the most of downtime, and encouraging children to continue learning about topics they find interesting, like music or coding. Best of all? Many of these resources are completely free.
3. Create a Daily Schedule
Education experts agree: Your family needs a schedule, and ineffective time management is an obstacle to online learning. Fortunately, you don’t have to stick to the eight-hour classroom structure! School psychologists suggest scheduling exercise, fun, family time, and screen-free learning opportunities alongside classroom time. Learning happens in many different ways, and varied activities help keep children engaged. Plus, if your child knows what they should be doing at a certain time, they may be less likely to interrupt you during work hours.