Back to School, Remote Learning and Digital Families

 

Back-to-school is creating anxiety for families, whether your kids have already started or will start soon. But digital parents can get ahead of the game and start planning their child's digital environment.

 

We often say that we want our children to survive and thrive in the digital age, and I think more than ever, emphasis is being placed on surviving / managing / hanging in there.

 

The following tips should give you a few ideas on how to set-up your child for the school year. If you have any additional tips, please share them in the comments or come visit our Digital Parenting Community and share them there!

 

We are all in this together.

 

• Set-up a space for minimal distraction, with adequate lighting, a comfortable chair and correct distance between monitor and eyes.
• Ensure that your child can see the monitor easily, but remind them to take "eye breaks" often.
• Make sure your child can handle the keyboard and mouse with ease.
• Get creative with timers, sand clock, egg timer to help keep your child (younger or older) on track; You can of course use digital apps to support your child, but sometimes it is a nice change to use something analog.
• If your child has food or water nearby, make sure that the items are not close to the device or electric sockets.

 

• Make sure that the school is following the highest health authorities recommendations on social distancing, hand sanitizer and school pandemic policy.
• If your school is suggesting remote learning either full- or part-time, request a copy of the school remote learning policy.
• Confirm that your child will have access to educational materials that will allow them to continue to work from home.
• Confirm that your child will be able to have face-to-face interaction with the teacher, daily.
• Confirm what type of progress report will be provided to parents and how your child will be assessed.
• Confirm whether a scanner or printer is necessary.
• Confirm what type of conferencing software will be used for remote learning: how will your family be given access? when is the training or refresher session? what type of security or privacy settings does that software have?
• Make sure that your child knows how to work the mute, camera, raise hand, or chat functions.
• For each class, understand how your child is expected to sign-in, open the camera, use an avatar, use a photo.
• Check that the teacher has instructed the class not to film, screenshot or record the sessions, unless permission is provided by the parents.
• Check that your child understands the chat function is not to be used for cyberbullying, harassment, making jokes, etc.  The chats can be saved during many conference calls and your child needs to understand the permanency.
• Make sure that your child knows video conferencing etiquette.

 

• Create a schedule for online and offline activities with your child, while stressing the importance of online play and offline play, connecting with friends and family online and attending classes or doing homework online.
• Remind your child to take breaks and move around physically (jumping jacks, push-ups, stretches, yoga, etc.) or even while sitting (exercises that you would do in an airplane to keep circulation moving).
• Don't forget to focus on neck and eyes as the continuous usage of digital devices can increase eye strain, neck strain and headaches.
• Create a media agreement or chart for your child that includes rewards and consequences.
• Use this Family Digital Wellness Guide for more science-based guidance.