Learning From Home During a Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, schools across the nation have closed their doors. Millions of students are engaging in
In your home, create an environment that promotes concentration – choose a well-lit area with plenty of table space where you can minimize distractions during work time. Work with your child to create a routine and stick to it. Learning at the same time each day can increase your child’s ability to focus, while providing consistent break times increases motivation.
Help your child to prioritize assignments, then assist them in identifying appropriate resources. Remind your child of
Home-Based Learning for Students with Disabilities
If your child has a diagnosed disability and receives
- Create a visual schedule for your child outlining the expectations for each day. Include specifics (watching a video math lesson, reading a science article, participating in a live classroom check-in, taking a break to stretch and move).
- Contact your child’s teacher. Establish a plan for regular conversations about your child and their needs. Your plan should include both time (weekly, bi-weekly) and method of contact (phone, email). Parent-teacher communication should include:
- Goals for the student’s learning – what is your child expected to know and do as a result of each week’s distance learning experience?
- Prioritization of assignments – of all the work the teacher is giving to the entire class, what is most important and what should your child focus on?
- Recommended accommodations – what can you do to make this work more accessible to your child?
- Troubleshooting – what is working, what is not working, and why?
- Review the accommodations listed in your child’s IEP. Think about how you can apply these accommodations in the homeschool environment. Touch base with your child’s teacher, who may have insight into creative ways to accommodate your child’s needs at home.
- Determine the main objective of each class session, whether it is a video lesson, a live online class, or an independent assignment. What should your child know or be able to do as a result of this lesson?
- Use positive reinforcement with your child. Let your child know what work and behavior (completing an assignment without a tantrum, appropriate participation in video lesson) is expected in order to earn a concrete reward (time outside, game time, etc.).
- Be flexible about the methods your student uses to achieve each learning goal. Students with
learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and other disabilities may not be able to internalize a concept during a limited video lesson or online class time. If your child isn’t clear on a concept after the online class or video provided by their school, encourage them to use an alternate resource such as a game, video, or article. - Provide extra emotional support. Disruption of established routines can affect children with disabilities more than their peers. Remember to reassure your child that many people are facing unfamiliar challenges right now, and everyone is trying their best. It’s important you provide security and understanding in your home environment more than ever. It is also okay to acknowledge that learning goals and habits may not be the same during this time as they normally are, as long as your child knows they can turn to you for support.
Using Online Resources to Supplement Learning
If your child is struggling to adjust to
Learning During Uncertain Times
As administrators, teachers, and families work to meet the needs of all types of learners during school closures, students with disabilities and their parents may find it challenging to continue their academic progress. The most that parents and educators can do is continue to support children in learning the best that they can. Contextualizing school within today’s larger global situation can help us all acknowledge the most important aspects of education are instilling a sense of curiosity, the ability to tackle new and challenging situations, and strong problem-solving tools so that our children become resilient adults.
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