As we settle into this new, bizarre version of normal, let’s take a moment to recognize that nothing in this reality is ideal.
This includes how we manage our children’s time and learning. (A bit more screen time than we hoped? No judgement.) So let’s take the pressure off… There’s enough to worry about. Instead, let’s recognize that we are doing our best, and let’s see this as an adjustment period to a pretty sudden global shift in circumstance.
The most important thing we can do is remain connected to our children in this time. This includes as they adjust to learning from home. Schools in Ontario too have started to unveil their Remote Learning initiative. But, as a teaching colleague shared, this won’t (cannot) replace full-time school learning:
“Just to be clear, starting April 6th we will be Emergency Remote Teaching, not e-learning, not online learning, not any other wonderfully tech savvy trendy name people choose to give it. We are hastily throwing together an imperfect system meant to provide basic online support to a population that isn’t 100% ready, willing or able to participate. That’s not online learning. Online courses are meant for secondary schools and above, they are meticulously planned and have student populations that are ready, willing, and able to meet their criteria, not limited to academic ability but also technological competence and availability. Go easy on your kids if they don’t get it, go easy on yourself if you don’t get it, go easy on the teachers if it’s not working 100%.” – Stacky Whit
So with this in mind, here are some helpful online resource hubs to help you guide your kids through this process and to support their learning from home…
- TDSB Learning Resources / YRDSB Learning Resources
- Well-being resources
- The Parents’ Guide to Google Classroom
- Amazing Educational Resources
- Ted-Ed
- Edutopia
- OpenCulture 200 Free Educational Resources: Video Lessons, Apps, Books, Websites & More
More resources and support to come…Stay well, and stay safe. ❤
sp*rk curiosity 