School Year 2020/21

This school year is not what we all imagined a new school year in USA will look like. Most of the schools are closed with teachers, educators, parents, caregivers and students adjusting to the new normal of virtual learning. Here are the stories that my friends shared about what they find most challenging in the virtual learning process and some very creative insights on how they helped these young students to overcome the new challenges they face. I could hear my own thoughts in so many of these parents’ stories and thats why I wanted to share in case you find something that helps you to overcome the 2020 never ending challenges.

If you feel like you want to be a part of this conversation, email me at funmommysf@gmail.com

STORIES FROM PARENTS

“For us, it’s staying attentive with 30 faces and people talking on a Zoom, actually submitting assignments (when, where, how), and I think an inability for the teachers to react to the kids as they are working or not working in the same way they could in real life. 

I wanted to try to build a pod for school but the perceived stresses had people drop out before we even started. Now one mom and I distance learning together 3 days a week. It’s helpful because we can divide and conquer, the kids play and work together, and we can play to our strengths.”

“One is when I am helping with work, especially common core math, I struggle to know how to explain it to my son.  

Two ... it is a full time on top of my full time job.  I feel like it has consumed my life!

Third, keeping him focused on screens for so long! 

On a different note ... our teacher is so organized and really doing a fantastic job!

I will also say that I got a binder for him with pocketed dividers to put all his paperwork in.  I also have all his login information printed and in the front.”

“We're good. My eldest is doing ok on Zoom, I just bribe him with more screen time after class if he doesn't want to do class. haha! ... His teacher is doing a pretty good job with the tech ... I withdrew my youngest  from pre-school so he's not doing anything now .. I'm kinda treating it as a Gap Year so not worried much about academics for either one.” 

“My kids just started school yesterday but according to my husband ... 3 challenges off the top of my head and in no particular order

1. Not being distracted. 

2. Teachers can’t always tell if kids are paying attention. 

3. Very little kid to kid interaction.

We’ve only had 3 days so far. I was here Friday to observe & it was challenging & exhausting for just that one morning for me re-directing.”

“In terms of challenges, I think my biggest is that I was able in the past to see my son with his peers and learn from other kids and parents where I need to focus in terms of his growth and education. I know every kid is different and learns in their own pace, but because we are also learning two languages at once, it puts a lot of pressure on both of us not knowing exactly where I should focus. 

Second, as I mentioned before, not sure how he will handle paying attention to what teacher is saying through Zoom for more than a couple of minutes.

Third, I’ll think of something and write :)”

“We’ve been homeschooling since the beginning, so it’s not quite as different as before.

There are definitely challenges to not being able to go to the library, museums, parks, and outings focused on learning real life skills.

I’ve been more focused recently on teaching how to emotionally cope with this weird times and help him find emotional coping skills.

This means we have to hold back a little on academic skills, but I think it’s worth it. I believe if I can help him be emotionally resilient, he can learn the academic stuff easily later.

The best thing I can say is to think of this as just temporary. Kids are amazing and will catch up when things go back to a new normal. The adults will be dragging behind their amazing resilience to change.

I have a feeling, in some ways we’ll see some great things happening for these kids who are living through this period. Perhaps they’ll be the most creative batch of kids ever. 💜”

“1. Getting into a good rhythm of completing assignments and remembering to turn them in as both girls are on two different platforms - Seesaw and Google Classroom.

2. Having the girls stay focused with school (not getting distracted by each other’s Zoom meeting, our pets; dogs barking, cats climbing in front of computer screens and wanting to tell me what they are doing in the class as their teachers are talking; reminding them to listen as in that moment they are missing key directions.

3. Both of them wearing headphones at times making sure the volume is not too loud or continued to be turned up either by accident or purposely.”

STORIES FROM STUDENTS

I also asked some students who are doing the virtual learning right now to share about their top challenges and that’s what they told me:

“1. Being away from friends

2. Don’t get to see teacher in person.”

“1. I can not see my friends in my class and in other classes.

2. I can not see my classroom and meet my teacher in person.

3. I can not play on the playground with my friends.”

STORIES FROM TEACHERS

“I am currently teaching preschool online and it definitely has it's share of challenges. I think the biggest challenge is keeping the children engage throughout the duration of the class. I try my best to keep the children active and moving, but this format of teaching is no match to the real deal of in-person learning. I am just hopeful that this will at least keep the children motivated to continue exploring and learning until we can return to school.”