As trained teachers with experience in homeschooling, we are well-versed in frustration management techniques! We recognize most parents are not equipped to navigate the inevitable challenges that arrive while coaching your child through schoolwork, especially alongside the stress of COVID-19. Here are a few tips:
Take a Break
Daniel Tiger said it best: “When you feel so mad that you want to ROAR, take a deep breath and count to four.” We’ve all been here – parents, children, and yes, teachers! Whether the break is the length of a few deep breaths, a few hours, or even a day, taking a pause refreshes both you and your student.
Ensure Physical Needs Are Met
Our physical experience plays a larger part than we realize on our mental focus. Check in with both yourself and your child: Are either of you hungry or thirsty? Too cold or too hot? Make sure you’re both comfortable, well-fed, and well-hydrated, and try again.
Focus on Strengths
What does your child do best? Whether they perform well on a school-related activity or something else, like an athletic or creative pursuit, start and end the day with your child’s strengths. Performing well boosts confidence, and that sense of pride can build stamina for tackling more challenging subjects.
Lead with Questions
It may seem you as the parent need to know all of the answers, but you don’t. Ask the right questions to pull your child’s knowledge to the forefront. Questions to consider: Have you worked on something like this before? When you think of this topic, what comes to mind? What do you think the first step is to solve this? And the next step? Do you have any graded past homework that might help us figure this out? How much of this problem can you do without my help?
Allow Imperfection
Your child likely did not have much one-on-one support in the classroom, so even the personal attention you are providing at home is a benefit. If you can’t answer the questions correctly together, that’s OK. We learn most from our failures. Encourage your child to turn in what they can and pay special attention to the teacher’s feedback once the homework is graded.
Contact Your Child’s Teacher
If the struggle with a concept is consistent, reach out to your child’s teacher and set up a phone call. The teacher can coach you both through the lesson. Alternatively, email or text your child’s teacher to ask for detailed explanations on the questions your child answers incorrectly on homework.
Schedule Virtual Homework Sessions with Classmates
If your child can contact a classmate, help coordinate one time of day for a FaceTime or Skype session where the two of them can work together, with or without you present.
Sign Up for Virtual Homeschooling
One-on-one and small group instruction is our passion. We’ve worked with Atlanta-area parents for over a decade. Now, we have a special and unexpected opportunity to work with children and parents regardless of location. If virtual homeschool seems like a good fit for your child, click here to book a package or call us at 404-816-0708 to talk through a personalized learning plan.