Teaching Your Child At Home: Expert Advice From USI Faculty Members

This article was written by Dr. Jill Raisor, Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Chair of the USI Teacher Education Department, Dr. Joy Howard, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, and Dr. Kelly Sparks, Associate Professor of Teacher Education.

Education has taken a drastic turn as a result of COVID-19! Many parents are facing the real challenge of juggling the tasks of working remotely while also serving as a “substitute” teacher for our own children. Several years ago, many of us laughed at Professor Robert Kelly’s interview on CNN when he tried to maintain focus on a live broadcast while his toddler and wife crept into his international workspace. Now, we suddenly have great empathy for Dr. Kelly because our living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens have become our offices too.

For a variety of reasons, schools and teachers across the nation are taking different approaches to e-learning, such as Google Classroom or SeeSaw or even worksheet packets. Regardless of your child’s social distancing educational format, parents everywhere are in a new role, even parents who have historically been homeschooling since the schedules and activities have necessarily changed. Below we offer a few tips, ideas, and resources that may help ease the transition for both you and your child(ren).

E-Learning Tips:

• Set a consistent schedule. Remember children need regular breaks just like adults do. (Video resource)
• Establish daily and weekly goals for e-learning while considering your children’s emotional and individual needs (Video resource)
• Stay in communication with your child’s school. Watch for updates. When is teacher available to answer questions? When are due dates?
• Search for resources to help. The Indiana Department of Education website is continuously updating available resources for educators and families.

Ideas to Conquer Boredom at Home:

• Read every day! Start a chapter book and read a chapter each day. Take advantage of some of the online resources as well (Examples: Faith Ringold reads her book Tar Beach and Storyline Online)
• Spend time outdoors: Go on walks, ride bikes, rollerblade
• Play board games
• Play games (Examples: toddlers and older children)
• Complete a puzzle
• Try a new recipe and cook or bake as a family
• FaceTime, Zoom, write a letter, email or call friends and family
• Try some fun, hands-on science activities at home
• Work with available mediums for art activities: sidewalk chalk, paint, clay
• Seek virtual field trips to Zoos, Museums, National Geographic, National Parks
• Exercise (Example: YMCA virtual work outs)
• Join in or start a neighborhood “Bear Hunt” initiative

Suggestions for Talking with Children about Coronavirus/COVID-19:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a guide
• Indiana Department of Education offers Remote Learning Resources for Educators and Families
• Try relaxation techniques and serve as a model for children coping with stress: Deep breathing techniques, yoga (Examples: free yoga and lesson plan ideas)