1. Send the message that
school is a priority.
Communicate to children that school
is important, even if it isn’t occurring at
the school building. Continue to read
together, check in with them on their as-
signments, and take an interest in what
they are learning. Research one of their
school topics or check out your local
library digitally to find online access to
learning tools and books.
2. Set a goal.
Help your child set an academic goal
they can achieve during the last weeks
of school. Maybe they want to learn
all their multiplication tables or read a
thousand pages. If they meet their goal,
reward them with something simple like
ice cream or a new school supply or
book.
3. Stay on Schedule.
Kids crave structure like to know
what to expect, especially when times are
tough. Try to keep routines like homework
time, dinner time, and bed time. Make
a conscious effort to keep the same
schedule you had before virtual schooling
began.
4. Replace supplies.
By now your child’s notebooks, fold-
ers, pencils and crayons probably look
worn out. Replacing these inexpensively
and having them delivered to your house
can be a quick pick-me-up that motivates
your child.
5. Set up an outdoor classroom.
Sometimes changing location gives a
child that second wind they need to make
it to the finish line. Let children have out-
door class time on the patio. When math
problems are completed correctly, they
can take a walk or ride bikes. Let them
read in a hammock, in a lawn chair or in
an outside tent. When they reach their
goal, they can pass the football or shoot
hoops. Plant a family garden as a science
project and let the kids make observations
when they are taking a break from their
school work.
6. Hold an end of the year
countdown.
There are many ways to count down the
days until the end of the school year. Mark
off days on a calendar or put popsicle sticks
or marbles in a jar and remove one each
day, or share a special treat. For each child
in your house, fill a container with Hershey’s
kisses that match the number of days left.
“Kiss” the last days of school goodbye with
one countdown chocolate each day when
kids finish their school work.
7. Thank the teacher virtually.
Teachers work hard, even when they
are teaching virtually. Make a video or a
take a picture of your child holding a sign
with a message for his or her teacher.
Then email it or use the teacher’s digital
platform to send it to him or her. Your child
could also decorate a card and write
an encouraging note and give it to the
teacher when school resumes in the fall.
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8. Plan a virtual recess.
Kids crave social time with their
friends, so this is the hardest part of them
being out of school. Schedule a structured
social time each day or week for your child
to Face Time, Zoom, Skype or email a
friend they miss.
9. Make virtual sports or arts
part of school.
An important part of school is physi-
cal activity and the arts. Is your baseball
player down because he misses throwing
his curve ball? Maybe your martial arts
lover is itching to practice her kicks. Why
not sign up for virtual lessons? If you don’t
have the right equipment it can easily be
purchased online, and many instructors
are setting up virtual venues for lessons.
There are many virtual art classes, and
lots of “how to draw” lessons free on
YouTube.
10. Celebrate.
Have a dance party in the den,
a luau in the living room or arrange a
Zoom party to celebrate the last day of
school. If you’re in doubt about what to
do, ask the kids. Even when they have
to find a virtual way to have a party, kids
are clever and will find a creative way to
celebrate! ESP
Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist, teacher and
mom to Andrew and Gracie. She loves to finish the
school year strong with her students and family.
www.facebook.com/easternshoreparentsmagazine