Remote learning. As my 3 year old would say… HOLY GUACAMOLE. I have so much respect for parents who are having to navigate remote learning with their child(ren). Especially those who are doing so while working a first time job!

Remote learning is coming up a lot during my therapy sessions with parents of school-aged kiddos. It’s a struggle for every family I’m working with. Every. Single. Family. The issues? Kids refusing to log in and participate. Kids having a difficult time staying engaged. Technology issues. Kids doing inappropriate things on devices (even school devices!) during school time. Kids lying about having “break time.” Kids interrupting parents who are trying to work-from-home in the same room. ALL kinds of concerns. So if you think you’re alone in dealing with these behaviors, you definitely are not!

And let’s all just take a second and think about how hard this is on our kids. Yikes. Eight year olds are not meant to spend 7 hours a day in front a screen doing “school.” Not only is sitting in front a screen all day bad, but add in that many kids aren’t seeing friends, extended family members, aren’t engaging in clubs and other extracurricular activities, and aren’t going out for “fun” (movie, bowling, skating, etc). Their whole worlds have been turned upside down. So remember to have realistic expectations and lots (LOTS!) of grace. For yourself and the tiny humans you’re responsible for.

To help with succeeding at remote learning, here are SEVEN things you can try:

1. Set expectations and clearly communicate these expectations to your child(ren). My expectation would be that they treat their remote school learning as they would a regular school day. No getting out of your chair unless given permission, no distracting items on your desk, and no snacks except during break. Definitely no electronics (other than what is needed to complete school sessions/work).
2. Set up a school space. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but have a set school space. It’s probably not a good idea to let your child do school work on their bed or on the living room floor with the television on. Have them sit at a desk or a table if possible. Try to remove as many distractions as you can. Have their supplies ready and accessible from their seat. You may not be able to anticipate every need, but do the best you can to have everything ready for their school day.
3. Monitor your child(ren)! There are so many more distractions/temptations at home and anyone who has children knows that attention spans are a struggle. Be in the room to prompt them back to their work when needed. (Note: I’m well aware that this step may be near impossible for some parents, depending on their work situation – do what you can, cut yourself some slack when it’s not a choice for you. You are a super-parent, but there are some things you can’t control).
4. Offer praise and small rewards throughout the day. For kiddos who are really struggling to stay engaged, offer a small reward periodically throughout the day. Maybe after each class session, depending on how their school is structured. Or once per hour (or half hour, if the struggle is really, really real).
5. Offer a reward at the end of the day. This can either be done on its own or in addition to a small reward throughout the day. If your child stays engaged and gets all their work done, let them pick out a preferred snack at the end of the day. Or allow an extra 15 minutes of electronics time. Pick something that is motivating for them, but make sure they earn it!
6. Use break time wisely. Most parents I’ve talked to who have kiddos doing remote learning have told me that their kiddos get break times throughout the day. Instead of letting them use that time to zone out on YouTube or lay down, get them up and moving around! This will help get energy out and help them be able to focus better when it’s time to get back to their school screen. Create a list of physical activity for them to do – jumping jacks, squats, lunges, starfish jumps, etc. Have them do a KidzBop dance video. Have them walk up and down the stairs a few times. Have them go outside and run around the house (if this is safe and the weather cooperates).
7. Consider fidget toys and/or fidget seat. I’ve heard from all of my families with ADHD kiddos that focus is more difficult when remote learning than in class. One thing that may help your child is to have a toy (or several) to fidget with, or a seat that they can move around in. You can find several variations of the fidget seats… wiggle seat, wobble chair, etc. OR try a big medicine ball. OR, I saw a neat idea the other day where a parent turned their kiddo’s bike into a stationary bike for them to ride while they do their school work. Note: some kiddos may be extra distracted with these options, so it may take some trial and error.

Good luck! You can do it! Have any suggestions of your own or things that have worked well with your kids? Drop a comment and share!

Disclaimer: I am a licensed mental health therapist, but I am not your therapist. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only. This article does not create a therapist-client relationship. If you need specific recommendations based on your individual circumstances, please consult with a mental health practitioner near you.