Distance learning is a big change and very new to most of us. We will all find what works for us. To help, check out these distance learning tips!
How to make distance learning a little less painful. Tips for starting off your day right, setting up a distance learning space, and giving yourself grace.
Nothing too crazy, just a couple ideas from this mom to you for getting started on the right foot. A couple helpful distance learning tips and the most important tip off all!
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We’re all in this new reality right now and just doing the best we can. We can use all the distance learning tips we can get! Am I right?! I know I’ll take any advice I can get my hands on!
Most importantly, we all will get through this differently. So, check in with each other. Take the distance learning tips you like, and leave the ones you don’t. There is no right way. We’re all just doing our best!
These are a few things we’re focused on as we begin our year with distance learning. We have a new 2nd grader and a new 4th grader starting on Monday. We’ll see how it goes!
Hopefully some of these distance learning tips will help get you thinking and, if you have any to share, I would be so grateful if you’d leave them in the comments for all to see!!
Also Read: Cactus Gift for Social Distancing
Distance Learning Tips
Set a routine
It’s ok if you don’t have it figured out just yet. Just do the best you can with the basics. Get a good night’s sleep, plan a balanced breakfast, take some fantastic vitamins, squeeze in a brain boost, get settled in to work, celebrate a job well done at the end of the day!
Also Read: Our morning routine from last school year
Sleep
Start winding down early in the night. Set a routine to get the kiddos relaxed and ready for rest. We love to read 30 minutes before bed to calm down.
Set an alarm for the next day (we love the “goodnight” function on our Google Home Minis that sets an alarm and plays sleep sounds) and plan a specific time for getting dressed and breakfast. Last year, we always went down for breakfast at 7:30 sharp.
Also Read: Frozen Breakfast Sandwiche to last 3 weeks
Breakfast
A good breakfast starts the tone for the whole day and gives kiddos the fuel to power through some learning.
A guaranteed way to start the day off on the wrong foot is to have no plan for breakfast. A scattered morning, without the best fuel to get you through the day, is a recipe for disaster.
A breakfast menu really helps. Also, this list of breakfast meal prep ideas for busy mornings will help take the pressure off!
Vitamins
Our kiddos love starting the day with their vitamins. We are partial to gummies because they make everyone happy and feel like a special treat. It’s a great way to start the day.
One of our favorites is Sambucol Black Elderberry Gummies. First of all, the kids never let me forget because they love the taste! Nine times out of ten, they have asked for their vitamins before I offer them!
I have no shame saying that we look forward to them because of the flavor. They’re so yummy! Also, when I asked on Instagram last year about preventing colds and flu during the winter, hands down elderberry was the most recommended. Great product too. I feel great giving this to our family!
We love elderberry because we can all use the amazing immune support they provide. Black elderberry is high in antioxidants and has been used for centuries. Even Hippocrates called elderberry a medicine chest because of the almost endless benefits
Sambucol gummies are pectin based, sweetened with pure cane sugar (only 1g per gummy!), and contain no artificial flavors or colors (yet they are delicious!).
Considering hydration is also a very important thing, especially in the morning, I can also tell you that the Sambucol Elderberry Immune Drink Powder is also a delicious way to start the day. So refereshing!
Brain Boost
In addition to important vitamins, our bodies thrive on activity. If you can carve out the time, getting a little morning activity in will do wonders for your kiddos’ concentration and ability to take in all the new information!
Exercise
- Improves blood flow
- Sends more oxygen to the brain
- Enhances learning, mood, and thinking
- Improves short-term memory
- Increases reaction time
- Boosts Creativity
Work some morning yoga into your routine, take a walk around the block, do some quick jumping jacks to get the blood flowing before sitting down for the day. Whatever you can find to work for you will have great benefits for you distance learners!
Also Read: Ways to Stay Active as a Family In and Around Your Home
Set up a designated work space
Just as important as being ready to learn, is having the space to learn.
It took me all summer, but I finally found separate space for each kiddo by moving the dining room table the other direction. Then we were able to come up with a distance learning setup that works for us.
No matter what you’re able to carve out for space a few things are most important.
Distraction-free area. As much as you’re able, set up the distance learning environment to be free of distractions. Limit the amount of things they can reach and fidget with. Try to face your learner toward a wall rather than into a larger space. Keep it simple and unclutterd.
Space for screens and writing. Your space doesn’t have to be large, but it will make things easier if you have a plan for where to place the computer while still having enough designated writing space. I like the idea of a desk like this with space to set the computer aside while doing work.
Organization. As much as possible, think with organization in mind. How are you going to keep supplies accessible, but able to be found at a moments notice? In our distance learning setup, we found these great carts for organization near the kids’ desks.
Ask for help
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your kiddos during this crazy time is accept or even ask for help.
If you are lucky enough to have support around you, don’t feel one bit bad to lean on others a bit. Accept the help.
If you are able to help lessen the burden other parents and students feel, offer up what you can. Nothing is too small!
For our school year, we had the wonderful blessing of my mom offering to play lunch lady. We took the weekend to make a list of some of the kiddos’ favorite school meals and other things they would like for lunch during the school day. We grabbed an easy academic calendar and planned a menu.
Also Read: School Lunch Ideas
My mom helped prep some favorite food ahead of time and stock our freezer. Now, the kids and I can just consult the calendar (no short order cook nonsense) and grab the things that were prepped ahead.
I’m so excited about the time this is going to save us. Not to mention the struggle of, “what do you want for lunch?”
Also Read: 21 Pinwheel Sandwiches for School Lunch
Celebrate a job well done!
With how new this all is for your and the kids, one of the most important distance learning tip is to celebrate a job well done!
Celebrate making it through the long work day. Pile on the praise and the love.
Also Read: The Importance of Behavior Specific Praise and Examples
Also, as much as possible, celebrate small wins throughout the day! Celebrate sitting still, getting through a tough lesson, sticking to the schedule, being ahead of schedule, etc. All of these small wins add up big and will keep you and your little ones in a positive mindset to deal with the inevitable snafus that will occur.
Also Read: Praise More Than Punish: Catch Them Being Good!
Don’t panic
Everyone in this situation for the first time can expect hiccups. It can also be extremely stressful to throw together technology, new experiences, and learning.
Things are going to go wrong.
Let me repeat: Things are going to go wrong. It WILL happen.
That is why we all need some grace – for those around us, for our kiddos, and for ourselves.
Also Read: The Mental Exhaustion of Motherhood
Take a moment to calm yourself and your child, set the best example you’re capable of for a calm reaction, and understand that it will come together no matter how rocky the start.
We can handle this!!
You got this, Moms! and all caregivers! You’re all amazing!
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