Tips for Being Home With Children Who Have Special Needs in the Time of Covid-19/ Coronavirus
Faced with a global pandemic, many school systems are closing to attempt to lessen the spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus). Many parents agree that this is a temporary and necessary step for safety, and are adjusting their schedules to accommodate home instruction for their children. For parents who have children with special needs, there may be growing anxiety and fear about how to fill the long part of the day that the school routine used to occupy. But as Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”, so here are a few tips to help you not only survive, but use the time well:
1. Take control of competing activities from the start. The tablet and television are going to compete with whatever you would like to teach your child, so make sure you set boundaries and limits as to their comings and goings. Don’t harbor guilt if your child is getting more screen time than you would like (most children probably will during this time), but hold back some of the more preferred games and shows for after your child has achieved some balance in their day with academic work and physical activity.
2. If your child is more relaxed and less anxious at home, take advantage of that and teach them how to access calming and coping skills for the eventual return to school. Apps such as “Calm” (iTunes, Android) and “Headspace” (iTunes, Android) can be practiced as a family, and give long-lasting benefits all around.
3. Mirroring the school schedule will help keep you and your child on track for the eventual return of school, as well as help “chunk” the day's activities. Use a visual schedule to direct your child’s time in the way that their classroom teacher does. For example, if your child is used to having lunch at 11:00 at school every day and doing math and reading in the morning, try to maintain those time slots.
4. Promote choice-making opportunities for your child that are developmentally appropriate, such as what snacks to make, what order to do tasks, and where they would like to learn (studying can be done equally well outside if the weather is good!). Giving children choices can make learning more fun and help avoid power struggles. Be careful not to offer choices if there is no choice available. Avoid asking your children “Would you like to take a bath?” if you need them to do so. Instead, try “Would you like bubbles or no bubbles tonight in your bath?”.
5. Take advantage of computer-assisted instruction if you can. Companies such as Scholastic are offering free learning platforms for children at home. Many school district websites have recommended resources listed for parents to access as well. You can follow “Grandma’s rule” (eat your vegetables, then you get cake) and offer access to more preferred sites as a reward for the time spent on academic learning sites.
6. Expand your idea of education to include non-academic learning. Learning new leisure skills can be just as important as those ABC’s, and can provide the kind of problem-solving and social development that typical academic activities promote. If your child was learning adjectives in school, encourage them to play “Memory” and describe each of the pictures. Use this time to cook with your child, teach them independence in those routines that you typically may not have time for when rushing for the school bus, or improve self-care and hygiene skills.
7. Go easy on yourself! You are trying to put together in a few days what teachers have gone to school for many years to do. Take some time to do something that you like and that fulfills you. This is an important time to stay connected to your support systems through calls and texts.
Remember that what we are experiencing as a nation is for now, not forever. Limit media exposure for yourself and your family and follow those sites and sources that are grounded in science and research, such as the World Health Organization. Be well.
“Teaching Remotely for Grades K - 12: Free Resources and Strategies.” Scholastic Classroom & News Magazines, 2020, classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html.