Virtual teaching tips for parents

While SUIMA has been busy providing home-learning packets and remote, online learning, there is another vital piece to help our students during this school year. That piece is the parents.

While the teachers are doing all they can, if it weren’t for the parents, some students would not be able to attend their daily school lessons. Parents became instant teachers in the spring. Without any previous “teaching” knowledge, other than helping with homework, the parents stepped up and took on the role of guide/teacher/educator.

Here are a few tips to help you parents work through your dual role:

• Embrace the differences and opportunities in learning at home. Remote learning at home and on-campus learning won’t look or feel the same – and that’s okay. During this time, families have a unique opportunity to prioritize home and family, while supporting and learning about your child’s school life. Have fun with learning. Help your child research something together which may bring you closer by realizing you both like the same animal or sport.
• Play board games. Even though they may look like just something fun to do, many board games promote academic and social-emotional skills. Read books with your child, or have your child read to you. If you have magazines you can cut up, make a collage of things your family wants to do once COVID restrictions are lifted and life gets back to normal. Make playdough (SUIMA can provide you with a great recipe). Older students can practice fractions by making the playdough for younger siblings.
• Give yourself credit. All parents are experiencing a steep learning curve when it comes to teaching remote, online lessons. Reach out to the school for support and resources, just as your child reaches out to you for support and resources. If you are feeling too overwhelmed, it is okay to take a break. Set limits with your child so that you can also have time to complete your work if you are teleworking. Set up a schedule so that your child can see when he/she has to do schoolwork and when you have to do your work. Share the household chores and choose which chores can be saved for another time or day.
• Communicate. Talk with another adult if you need to. Reach out to your friends. Have a conversation with your child’s guide/teacher to keep them informed if you are struggling with taking on that role. Give yourself a time limit when sitting with at your computer. Limit getting on it at night.
• You matter and you are important. Your role in this time has changed. Make time for yourself.

Montessori guide/teacher Spotlight

Debbie Gonzales has been part of the SUIMA family when it was a school within a school; when it was called Blue Sky and was housed at the Education Center. Before Blue Sky, she worked at the Head Start.

Debbie, and her husband Joe, have four children, 15 grandchildren and two dogs: Diamond and Buster.

When Debbie is not working with the toddlers, she attends the many sporting events that her grandchildren participate in. She says the best part of working with children is the time she gets to spend with them and to watch and help them grow.

To all the students, and parents, out there, Debbie would like to remind you to be confident and proud of who you are.