This school year, many children in Park City and throughout the U.S. will take classes online. As you probably noticed during the spring lockdowns, most kids struggle with distance learning.
The challenges are many. Poor sound quality, unreliable Wi-Fi or software, and the absence of nonverbal communication can interfere with learning and comprehension. Too much screen time, too much social isolation, and too little physical activity can make remote days both physically and mentally taxing.
How can you help your kids thrive despite these challenges? A few suggestions:
Develop a routine. Have your children wake up at the same time and follow the same regimen (e.g., brush teeth first, shower second, eat breakfast third, start school fourth). If their remote learning days are unstructured, schedule breaks for outdoors time, physical activity, arts and crafts, or play. Set a hard stop time for ending the school day.
Get out of virtual reality. As I’ve written before, too much screen time can have profoundly negative effects on physical and mental health. When your kids aren’t using a screen to watch a class or do homework, nudge them to spend time in the analog world. You will need to model that behavior (which can only do you good).
Communicate with teachers. In a physical classroom, teachers can observe children and spot challenges, like difficulty reading. In a remote setting, those challenges are much harder to observe. If you notice your children struggling with a specific subject or skill, ask their teachers for advice. They are the experts!
Bottom line: Distance learning is not an optimal setup for most children. Help them make the best of this situation with a good routine and plenty of non-screen time. As challenges arise, lean on teachers for help. They are here for you too.
When should I be worried? Get in touch if your children experience any of the following symptoms:
Decrease in attention span
Irritability
Overly emotional reactions
Rubbing eyes to get them to focus on the screen
In the meantime, I’m wishing your family a healthy and successful school year.
Dr. Jake Shores
Chiropractic Neurologist
Park City, Utah
