Warm summer days are coming to an end. I can feel the crisper cool air of fall starting to sneak into Wisconsin. The end of summer always marks the beginning of school. This year however, it looks very different. Whether your children are going back face to face, some sort of hybrid or virtual, it’s not going to be the same.
All of these changes bring a myriad of changes all across the board for families. Childcare and time seem to be two of the biggest hurdles.
Who is going to take care of my kids while I work?
When will I have time to help them with their studies?
Will I be able to provide what my kids need?
These are all legitimate questions and concerns. This is one time that the cliche, “It takes a village,” has more meaning that you’ve ever thought before. There is no way parents can do it all right now. Here are some ideas on how you can create your village. Because let’s face it, we all need a village more than ever now.
Create Learning Pods
I absolutely love the idea of creating learning pods for same age children. This idea is simple and can be executed in a variety of ways. The basic concept is that families with similar aged children join together to share the responsibility of childcare and teaching.
To create a pod, four to five families could come together to share in the responsibilities.
- Each family needs to define their own needs and what they could contribute to the group.
- Not all families will be able to contribute time, but there is so much more they can contribute.
- Learning time/child care during work days
- Child care time during off time to give the childcare provider time off.
- Meals and snacks
- Supplies including school supplies for all kids or household supplies like wipes, cleaner, paper products etc.
- Shared cost of internet as it may need to be upgraded for more bandwidth.
- Define a school time. What will it look like.
- Drop off, pick up
- Is it all one person or a shared responsibility?
- Create a daily schedule.
- Make a calendar to stay organized.
Every pod may look different. It is truly based on the needs of the families in the pod.
Our pod is our family/extended family; all children age 6 and below (4k-1st grade). Therefore ours school time is based on social interaction, circle/story time, centers, and small group lessons. We decided that each family will complete the online portions at home. Honestly, at this age, our children need the social portion much more than the online work. This is what works for us. Your pod may be very different.
Older students may just need an adult to proctor their online learning, provide snacks and meals, and just be there for support. Plus, by creating a pod, they will also gain social time with their peers.
High School Tutor
If creating a learning pod does not work for your family, hiring a high school student to tutor/work with your children for a few hours during the day is a great solution.
High school students will have their own work to do, however there may be some students who would love to work with your student for 4 hours a day to earn some extra cash while providing you with childcare and help with your child’s education.
To make sure you are on the same page, I would make a detailed schedule of what you would like done during tutor time. With a responsibility tutor, your child could be very productive during the day!
This could also be a great option if you are working from home but need help to support your children while you work.
Communicate
Communication is basically the number one necessity for success. To make this whole virtual situation work, and work well, you need to communicate.
Communicate with your pod or tutor as well as your children. make sure everyone is on the same page and knows all of the expectations.
Once you have a plan, make sure to communicate with the school, especially your child’s classroom teacher. Share your plan, ask for support, and be sure to schedule virtual teacher/student times that works for your family.
- In our situation, I will share our plan to work as a pod and ask for any resources I can use to facilitate learning including a curricular pacing guide (a guide that the teacher uses that states when each part of the curriculum will be taught.)
- I will also set up student/teacher times throughout the week for my kids to meet with their teachers that is outside of our pod learning time as we have decided that is a non virtual time.
- I will also have the teacher clarify any expectations we me have missed during our planning.
Virtual learning is not going to be easy. I am hoping it can at least be fun, most of the time. Most importantly, as parents we need to make sure it’s not stressful on us or on our children. If it becomes stressful, reach out. Reach out to their teachers, to your family or friends, basically anyone who can help. You are not in this alone and it’s ok and necessary to ask for help!
Here is a great resource to help get you started.
FREE Newsletter; Virtual School Bootcamp from Lip Gloss and Crayons.
Tips for Combating Summer Slide
Good Luck my friends! As always, email me if you have any questions. Snugglesandsnacks@gmail.com
