August and September traditionally marks the time of the year when students return to school to meet their new teachers, make new friends, and reconnect with old peers. As we all know, health concerns and safety precautions are leading school districts to have students begin their new school year online.  Distance learning will most likely be in place until a vaccine is created, viable solutions are identified, or miraculously COVID-19 disappears. Consider trying out the following suggestions to help you and your family make the best of distance learning: create a schedule and stick to it; identify a comfortable learning area; maintain contact with your children’s school; create a village; implement a reward system; and be creative and flexible.

• Create a schedule for each of your children and stick to it, everyone will experience peace of mind and success due to having a sense of structure and routine. Draw a chart manually on a poster board or a computer. Use the example below as a reference point. After you add your child’s online school schedule, include the rest of their day.

• Identify a safe and comfortable learning area with your child. If the space is messy, noisy, or unpleasant, they will not be able to focus on learning and work assignments. Some people work better at the kitchen table, while others learn better in their room. Consider a spot in the backyard that may be comfortable. Figure out what works for each of your children. Keep in mind, your child may need to be in the same room with you due to mischievous behavior tendencies, short attention span or hyperactivity.

• Maintain contact with your children’s school by checking for school email daily. Email teachers with questions and concerns, allow time for teachers to respond. Stay on top of your child’s grades by monitoring them on the school website. Participate in all parent meetings to stay abreast of updates and changes. Contact the school immediately if your child needs a laptop, or internet service for the purpose of instruction.

• Create a village for you and your child., it will make the experience more pleasant. Set up a time for your child to study and do homework with one or two of their classmates on Zoom or Google Meet. Connect with other parents to see how they are progressing, exchange ideas. Consider getting a group tutor to help your children with math or language arts. Perhaps you can share the cost of hiring an online tutor to work with a small group of 2 to 4 students. Schedule play time / social time for teens.

• Implement a reward system for each child, your children are individuals with their personal likes and dislikes. They will respond well to positive reinforcement when it is carried out correctly. Set reasonable small goals for your child to achieve. All children are different, some require a reward every 15 minutes to and hour. Others may necessitate one reward per day, or per week. For example, 15 minutes equals a sticker. If they earn 20 stickers by the end of the day, they may earn video game time. Ask your child how they would like to be rewarded, involve them in the planning process. For instance, 30 minutes of phone time for staying on task in every subject; 15 minutes if they focused in three out of six of their subjects; and 5 minutes if they only remained on task for one subject. Post the agreement between you and your child so that the two of you will remember. Be timely and consistent with rewarding them or it will not work.

• Be creative and flexible. No two families are the same, everyone has different obligations. What works for one family may not work for another. The key is to create a system that works for your household. Be willing to adjust your plan to meet the educational and emotional needs of your children until you figure out what works best.

Although distance learning may be an inconvenience and a bit disheartening for your household, do yourself a favor and make the most of it. Cherish this extra time you have with your children. Time flies so fast, before you know it they will be adults. You may not be able to turn back the clock or change your current situation, but you can use the lemons to make lemonade. So, develop a routine; set up a pleasant learning space; maintain contact with the school; establish a village; implement a reward system; and be patient with the process by being flexible and creative.