Supporting Students in an Online World
Kids who can't regulate will have the hardest time with the current distance learning approach because the structure of their world (which was used for regulation) is now gone. If parents are working, these kids may be on their own entirely or depending on adults who have to work in the same space.
There are other resources and information available throughout this site, but this section will include tools, strategies and ideas you can use in this very specific time of need. Here are some ideas and ways to get started.
1. Create a Work Environment
When we have purpose we feel good, when we can make a plan we are better able to execute. When kids are home there are distractions like siblings, pets, games and limited academic "resources". This is the perfect opportunity to make learning fun. Even with limited space THEY can make a "work space"- remember that when kids come up with the ideas, they are more motivated to participate. There are key considerations when creating a work space and when kids struggle with focus and regulation, these things are even more important.
-Limit distractions in this space:
*Face them toward a blank or visually boring space
*Consider making this space using sheets over tables
*Use cardboard that folds to make study carrels
*Create cozy spaces that allow for lying on tummies to read
*For the wiggly kids, use writing while standing or a large ball to sit on
*Help child prepare to work so they aren't distracted while working
(help the child get all items they need to get ready BEFORE starting)
2. Create structure
*Have a visual of what the day looks like and activities in that day and make
sure to include fun and breaks too...check out GoNoodle for movement
ideas that can help kids continue to focus and regulate.
*Use of a timer can assist in many ways: time self for getting ready,
try to guess how long it might take to do one problem and set timer,
work only for a set of time then take a bit of snack (chunk the activity),
races to see if the next problem can get done faster than current one.
*Have the child create the day given a set expectation (i.e. math assignment
and science need to be completed in a set time so they decide where, what
comes first, where to put breaks, how much time is needed for each task.
-Keep a consistent schedule:
*Have every day look similar but different. Use a template (printable options
below) so the child can fill in (or instruct you to fill in) what goes where
with consistent blocks of time that are non-negotiable. Control is
important for kids to feel but they also need guidelines from you, the
adult. When kids know they have freedom to a point, they feel more
control with limits which feels good- especially if those "internal limits"
are hard to find (behaviors that are impulsive, difficulty with focus etc.)
3. Create Fun and Family Time
*Print activities to do for breaks: Zentangles, mazes, visual perceptual games
(see links below to some of this fun)
*Have kids create obstacle courses around house with a list of items they
must use. Have them plan out the course on paper first then execute and
this will help them use the different skills vital to school and learning.
*Encourage time outside and in the sun- being outside and focusing on the
smell, the sounds, the wind...all of this helps us to find our center and
relax. You can even turn these opportunities into family challenges with
children challenging parents or older siblings to use their senses and
explore their world.
*Games that improve executive functioning:
-Get a regular deck of cards the kids say "yes" to all the red cards and "no"
to all the black- see how fast they can do this and when it gets easy have
them say something silly every time a face card comes up
-Get items out on the counter and have kids categorize in different ways:
maybe food/non-food, then switch to soft/hard, then dark colors/light
using different characteristics of these items
-Check out the link below for various activities for different ages for
enhancing executive functioning at any age
-Check out the Stroop color games (below). This helps them shift between
reading the word and saying the color (for shift and flexibility which are
key executive functions that can be practiced and FUN
-Check out the various family board games and resources (below)
When we have purpose we feel good, when we can make a plan we are better able to execute. When kids are home there are distractions like siblings, pets, games and limited academic "resources". This is the perfect opportunity to make learning fun. Even with limited space THEY can make a "work space"- remember that when kids come up with the ideas, they are more motivated to participate. There are key considerations when creating a work space and when kids struggle with focus and regulation, these things are even more important.
-Limit distractions in this space:
*Face them toward a blank or visually boring space
*Consider making this space using sheets over tables
*Use cardboard that folds to make study carrels
*Create cozy spaces that allow for lying on tummies to read
*For the wiggly kids, use writing while standing or a large ball to sit on
*Help child prepare to work so they aren't distracted while working
(help the child get all items they need to get ready BEFORE starting)
2. Create structure
*Have a visual of what the day looks like and activities in that day and make
sure to include fun and breaks too...check out GoNoodle for movement
ideas that can help kids continue to focus and regulate.
*Use of a timer can assist in many ways: time self for getting ready,
try to guess how long it might take to do one problem and set timer,
work only for a set of time then take a bit of snack (chunk the activity),
races to see if the next problem can get done faster than current one.
*Have the child create the day given a set expectation (i.e. math assignment
and science need to be completed in a set time so they decide where, what
comes first, where to put breaks, how much time is needed for each task.
-Keep a consistent schedule:
*Have every day look similar but different. Use a template (printable options
below) so the child can fill in (or instruct you to fill in) what goes where
with consistent blocks of time that are non-negotiable. Control is
important for kids to feel but they also need guidelines from you, the
adult. When kids know they have freedom to a point, they feel more
control with limits which feels good- especially if those "internal limits"
are hard to find (behaviors that are impulsive, difficulty with focus etc.)
3. Create Fun and Family Time
*Print activities to do for breaks: Zentangles, mazes, visual perceptual games
(see links below to some of this fun)
*Have kids create obstacle courses around house with a list of items they
must use. Have them plan out the course on paper first then execute and
this will help them use the different skills vital to school and learning.
*Encourage time outside and in the sun- being outside and focusing on the
smell, the sounds, the wind...all of this helps us to find our center and
relax. You can even turn these opportunities into family challenges with
children challenging parents or older siblings to use their senses and
explore their world.
*Games that improve executive functioning:
-Get a regular deck of cards the kids say "yes" to all the red cards and "no"
to all the black- see how fast they can do this and when it gets easy have
them say something silly every time a face card comes up
-Get items out on the counter and have kids categorize in different ways:
maybe food/non-food, then switch to soft/hard, then dark colors/light
using different characteristics of these items
-Check out the link below for various activities for different ages for
enhancing executive functioning at any age
-Check out the Stroop color games (below). This helps them shift between
reading the word and saying the color (for shift and flexibility which are
key executive functions that can be practiced and FUN
-Check out the various family board games and resources (below)
Creating Structure with a Visual Schedule
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(for download and print, use link below)
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| my_schedule_for_today.pdf |
When we are trying to create a visual schedule for kids, there are some things we want to focus on if this strategy is going to help.
--Highlight different classes with different colors.
--Make the fun time bright and obvious so they know it is coming- maybe put the fun breaks in first.
--Be sure to write in things that are already on the schedule like meal and family time.
--Have the child tell you about each class, this is where you can write "notes" to the left of the schedule.
--Prioritize with them what is most important or due soon.
--Help them estimate how long this might take- you may have to help them chunk longer things- put them in the schedule as these chunks so you can build in movement or breaks if focused attention is tough. This is especially important if it is a topic that is typically hard for your child. Consider using a timer or other ways to keep track of time while doing the work-you can also check out some of the ideas at cognitive connections (link below). They have an app you can purchase that lets you show time and chunks the pieces needed to work completion: getting ready, DOING, and then done. When kids understand and practice these steps, they tend to do better.
--If you notice that there is more work than time allows, try to figure out with your child why this is. Maybe the work is too hard? Maybe too long? Maybe they got distracted? You can always email their teacher for guidance- they are all trying to figure this out too!
--There are going to be times when kids get their time "robbed" or times when they get distracted and work doesn't get done as planned (a Cognitive Connections concept). Helping them to go through the schedule at the end of the day to determine if they found success or not is a great way to start the discussion and plan for tomorrow- what can be adjusted? What worked today? Maybe you have to adjust where those breaks are? Maybe the way they do the work needs to adjust- can they sit on a yoga ball, stand, play music? Maybe they need a quieter space- let them come up with what this space looks like (even a sheet over the table can work!) All of this strategizing will help them focus, decrease distractions and hopefully they will figure out a little more about what works for THEIR system.
--Check out the sections in the background information of this site- it helps the adult see the behavior in a unique way that can help in the creation of tools that help kids "play school".
Anytime the child can come up with the way it looks (even if you do the writing), they will be more motivated to use it.
Good luck and stay well!!
--Highlight different classes with different colors.
--Make the fun time bright and obvious so they know it is coming- maybe put the fun breaks in first.
--Be sure to write in things that are already on the schedule like meal and family time.
--Have the child tell you about each class, this is where you can write "notes" to the left of the schedule.
--Prioritize with them what is most important or due soon.
--Help them estimate how long this might take- you may have to help them chunk longer things- put them in the schedule as these chunks so you can build in movement or breaks if focused attention is tough. This is especially important if it is a topic that is typically hard for your child. Consider using a timer or other ways to keep track of time while doing the work-you can also check out some of the ideas at cognitive connections (link below). They have an app you can purchase that lets you show time and chunks the pieces needed to work completion: getting ready, DOING, and then done. When kids understand and practice these steps, they tend to do better.
--If you notice that there is more work than time allows, try to figure out with your child why this is. Maybe the work is too hard? Maybe too long? Maybe they got distracted? You can always email their teacher for guidance- they are all trying to figure this out too!
--There are going to be times when kids get their time "robbed" or times when they get distracted and work doesn't get done as planned (a Cognitive Connections concept). Helping them to go through the schedule at the end of the day to determine if they found success or not is a great way to start the discussion and plan for tomorrow- what can be adjusted? What worked today? Maybe you have to adjust where those breaks are? Maybe the way they do the work needs to adjust- can they sit on a yoga ball, stand, play music? Maybe they need a quieter space- let them come up with what this space looks like (even a sheet over the table can work!) All of this strategizing will help them focus, decrease distractions and hopefully they will figure out a little more about what works for THEIR system.
--Check out the sections in the background information of this site- it helps the adult see the behavior in a unique way that can help in the creation of tools that help kids "play school".
Anytime the child can come up with the way it looks (even if you do the writing), they will be more motivated to use it.
Good luck and stay well!!
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