Educating at Home

With many school districts closed and children preparing to participate in schooling from home, this is a stressful time. PCHAS Director of Education Services Gayle Jordan (M.Ed., PSC) is helping families in the PCHAS Foster Care Village navigate these rough waters. Here she shares some tips for other families on the same journey.

School Communication

• Don't panic. Closed districts are currently working on academic plans and soon will announce virtual instruction.
  
• Check your school's ISD website daily for updates as well as community resources.
  
• Watch social media for ISD posts and updates.
• Communicate with your child's teachers. Share questions and ideas with them; reciprocate their suggestions and guidance.

Educating at Home

• Prepare your home: Organize a space for learning, locate supplies and tools.
  
• If the school district doesn’t create a daily schedule for your child, create your own. Allow time for academics, creative arts and physical sessions throughout the day.
  
• Remember to make time for guided reading, silent reading, rest time and real-life learning (writing, painting, cooking, science experiments, building, planting, walking, etc.).
  
• Teach your child to pen-pal the old school way. Pick a friend from the class and write/mail letters to each other. Connect the topics to class assignments.
  
• Provide a journal for youth to write about each day’s experience and their perspective of their new situation. You might discover an author in your child.
  
• Utilize websites with free access to parents, including Khan Academy, Edmentum, Scholastic and ABC Mouse.
  
• Look on social media for local community groups in the same boat. They have lots of ideas for teaching at home.
  

Finally, Gayle offers one last piece of advice for parents:

“The days ahead will be different for us all locally and as a nation; maybe even difficult at times. This can also be a time of positive change in the daily routine of our family and education system. For today, don't panic, but do remain positive and prepared. Speak openly to your children to reassure them that everything will be okay, even their learning needs. In this time, slow down to enjoy the things you love most, your people and your time together. Make time to play games, read books, cook, and to learn from each other and authentically connect. We will get through this 'different' time, we will learn from it, and possibly be better for it when the storm passes."

The children and families in our residential and community-based programs need your help now more than ever. To donate, please click here.