The reality of the COVID-19 pandemic has started to set in with Back-to-School season in full effect and many of our children are still at home. Educators have found themselves disrupting their classroom routines and making the shift to online learning for what could be the long haul. In many households, parents have become their child’s primary teacher, in others, the assistant teacher. Forty-six states decided to close schools in the U.S. due to the pandemic. That means more than 55 million students nationwide are home now! No one knows how long this will last.

Fortunately for myself and many other parents, we were not particularly affected by the school closures. You see, my daughter is home-schooled and has been since her freshman year of high school. Her education has not been impacted in any way shape or form. She receives online-interactive instruction from credentialed, college-prep instructors.

I am not mentioning this to promote or persuade anyone to switch to a homeschooling program. However, as a literacy specialist, tutor and home school instructor, I have seen firsthand how certain practices when used both in the classroom and at home are proven to be successful with students at each grade level. 

I want to share some actionable advice for parents looking to better support their children and themselves through these unprecedented times. 

Here are 12 tips to alleviate the day-to-day stresses of online/remote learning. 

1. Find a quiet-isolated room or area to multi-task effectively.
2. Set-up a “Bell Schedule” as if your children were in school, using cellphone alarms and timers. This will keep them on-track and create a routine they can stick to. 
3. Take 15 minute breaks in between subjects/class. STRUCTURE is KEY.
4. Keep track of academic work and keep copies of homework that has been turned in.
5. Make a plan with realistic academic goals and keep it in a visible place where the family can see and work together.
6. Keep everything organized in one place. ORGANIZATION is KEY! Without it, you will be overwhelmed.
7. Have your child study according to their learning style.
8. Decrease test anxiety by increasing practice. Take advantage of any online resources that are available or that the school has provided to help them practice their learning material.
9. Tap into the power of MUSIC. Music can be a powerful tool that can boost your mood, energy and focus. Find a study playlist that inspires your student.
10. Study with friends online through video conferences.
11. Parents, make sure your child/children are exercising and eating a well- balanced healthy diet!
12. Lastly, but not least, READ!!! Keep reading. Reading has been proven to help with vocabulary, grammar and comprehension. It also helps to stimulate your mind in your downtime.