How to Help When Your Child Is New to the Virtual Classroom
This school year will be completely unusual. In our New Normal have a lot that you want to adjust, especially if, in addition, you have a new baby and that suddenly turned into a virtual classroom. Being new to the class is exciting and stressful on non-pandemic days, but how can you help a new student acclimate when their class simultaneously serves as a dining room for the entire family?
Here are some ideas for how parents can help their new student adapt and get the most out of the upcoming school year.
Acknowledge their feelings
Even before the first bell rings, your new student will have many feelings about the rapidly approaching school year. Frustration, anxiety, excitement, apprehension are the standard feelings we all experienced while riding the Coronacoaster. These thoughts and feelings will be difficult for your new student to cope with, so parents need to be willing to listen a lot and show empathy, ”says Brian Galvin, Academic Supervisor at Varsity Tutors , an online tutoring service.
“Parents really need to show special empathy,” Galvin says. “You cannot solve every problem, but it is very important that children feel heard.”
Hearing and empathy will look and feel different depending on your child’s age. Pupils will know that they feel bad, but, most likely, they will not be able to explain why. Do your best to help them name their feelings. Most importantly, let them know that these feelings are not only heard, but also real.
On the other hand, middle school students are more experienced at expressing their feelings, but that doesn’t mean they will.
“Not a single high school student will say, ‘I have problems with my friends,’” Galvin says. So check them regularly to get a better understanding of how they really feel.
Talking less and listening more with your high school student is a rule of thumb. Older children are not looking for solutions to their problems or inner struggles from you, they just want to be heard.
“Older kids just need to listen,” Galvin says. “High school students have the right to get upset; this is when their worlds have to expand – instead they shrink. “
Make your own friends
Your student may not be the only new face on the Zoom screen this year. New parents often come to PTA virtual meetings with the new student. One way to help your child get acclimated is to acclimate too.
“Anything you can do as a parent will be important,” Galvin says. “Parents are often more entrenched in public life than students.”
Swap phone numbers with other parents, set up group text, schedule multiple virtual meetings. As you get to know other parents, things like invitations to socially distant game parties or virtual birthday parties will happen more organically, especially for younger children.
Ask a teacher for support
Teachers can also be an important bridge to a wider circle of friends. Direct communication with a teacher can help a new student both academically and socially, says Sarah Deichmann, an Indiana school counselor.
“We know children will do better when they have a bond with the teacher,” says Deichmann. Therefore, to strengthen this bond, Deichmann recommends requesting an introductory video from the teacher or scheduling a one-to-one Zoom chat. Every teacher really wants to help, especially when it comes to social adaptation of new students.
If you see that your student is struggling to make friends, contact the teacher to discuss scheduling small group sessions. While kids can usually create their own classroom workgroups with their buddies, the teacher will need to say a little more about how small virtual groups are formed right now, and this may be an opportunity for your child to interact better with little classmates.
Teachers will have a lot to do this year, but Deichmann encourages parents not to be afraid to ask for more or to be different from their teachers.
“Everyone is trying to navigate these new and unexplored waters,” says Deichmann. “Be open to what the teacher has to offer, but you know what is best for your child.”
Help them stay focused and discover new interests
Lack of affection for their new classmates, combined with spending another semester in front of a screen, can make the task difficult for children. To focus on learning rather than YouTube, be sure to ask your children questions about their recent class.
“Parents who ask questions, get kids to talk, get parents involved, show kids that these lessons matter outside of their online sessions,” Galvin says.
And remind them that being the new kid in school is also a clean slate – a fresh start. Talk to them about how they can maximize this isolation time while exploring a new hobby or interest.
“Now everyone is closed, and you have a student who is not sure of his place in society,” says Galvin. “Use this time to get somewhere. Right now you are in a cocoon, and when you come out of it, you can smell any butterfly scent. “
Be calm
Look, this won’t be easy. Helping your new student become socially engaged and educational, while completely virtual, won’t be a walk in the park. But try to maintain a positive attitude, not only for them, but for yourself as well.
“Stay calm in storms,” says Deichmann. “Remind them of the funny times before COVID hits and remind them that it’s good to go back to school.”