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Practical Advice for Parents

On Structuring the Day (Scheduling)

• Keep a routine. Keep it simple and clear.
  • Having a schedule provides security for children. When they feel secure, safe and stable, their minds are more open and ready for learning.
  • Keep the routine consistent, but schedule variety within the routine.
  • Once a routine is established, you will find time for your own to-do list while your child is engaged in their own tasks – a great way to promote independence.
• Introduce or increase the number of chores.
  • Do not be afraid to designate significant time for your child to help take care of the house; chores are important life skills (not to mention visual-spatial and executive functioning skills).
• Institute independent quiet time and stick with it.
  • You do not need to be ‘on’ constantly just because you are at home together at all times. Children need physical and emotional space from each other, even if they are not able to articulate it.

On School

• Remind your child that they can be in charge of their learning, just like in school.
• Keep the ‘work’ light, fun and engaging – with consistent and clear expectations that this should be your child’s best work.
• ‘Work’ during this time is not differentiated in the way it typically is at school. i.e., For some children it will feel like a holiday; for others it may feel like a chance to be more creative and curious; for others it may be challenging.
• Do not introduce new content. (Unless your extended time is for more than a month.)
• If your child hits a tricky spot, is unhappy or is pushing back, let your teacher know. Teachers want their students to feel good about their learning and will often find creative ways to support a child’s learning.

On Finding Balance

• Allow yourself the space and time to do the work you need to get done and model respectful patterns of communication.
  • Plan and communicate your own work with your child.
  • Developing patience is a learned skill that comes with developmental maturity for a young child. But it is equally important for your child to respect that you also have boundaries and other commitments.
  • “I see you are really excited about something. I’m talking to Leila at work right now on the phone. It will be your turn as soon as I’m done.”
  • “You really want to talk to me right now and I’m in the middle of finishing an email. It’s hard to wait, isn’t it? I will talk to you when I’m done with this.”
• Be kind to yourself and your child.
  • Many people in a home with differing interests for an extended period of time is a recipe for conflict and short tempers. As challenging as it is, the resilience and flexibility it builds in all of us is a gift. Try not to sweat the small stuff.
• Build family time into every day. Get serious about taking time each day as a family. And *play* together! Go on a walk, play tag, read together, start a puzzle, play a game. Your child will remember these moments; they fill everyone’s buckets.
  • If possible, spend 10 minutes a day of special time with each child. Let them choose the activity, set a timer, and devote yourself to them in an uninterrupted way. This goes a long way in helping them feel connected during an uncertain time and usually results in more cooperation and respect in the long run.