Parents: Supporting Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wrap Up

As we’ve discussed, the past months have not been easy. With all you’ve had to do, it’s been confusing, tiring, and stressful. As you move forward, dealing with the certainty of uncertainty, remember to take a few deep breaths and try to focus on one step at a time.

Remember that supporting your child’s learning doesn’t mean that you have to plan every lesson. You don’t have to recreate the school day. And you certainly don’t have to take on the role of the teacher.

So what do you have to do? What does “support learning” actually mean? It means that you:

• Create a time and space for your child to learn
• Encourage your child to learn and to do any work that is assigned
• Answer your child’s questions or provide help when needed
• Support your child socially and emotionally

This might sound a bit overwhelming. But with just a little planning and a few helpful resources, you can do this. Below are a few things to keep in mind as you go.

Create a time and space for your child to learn

• Create a learning space
• Set a routine
• Create a plan to manage behavior

Encourage your child to learn and to do any work that is assigned

• Stay in contact with your child’s teacher or school
• Support learning opportunities provided by the school
• Create learning opportunities for your child if they are not provided by the school
• Support your child in reading if he or she is struggling
• Support your child in math if he or she is struggling
• Answer your child’s questions or provide help when needed

Support your child socially and emotionally

• Reduce your child’s stress
• Help your child stay connected to friends and family
• Encourage your child to be active and have fun

Support your child with a disability

• Keep in contact with your child’s school
• Discuss special education services and supports.
• Support your child’s individualized learning needs at home

Support your child as she returns to in-person learning

• Talk to your child about her concerns
• Prepare for in-person routines
• Communicate with teachers regularly
• Support learning at home
• Seek help if needed

When you are ready, go to the next page to finish up and give us your feedback!