Scaffolding vs Hovering: Tips to Support Your Child's Learning
It's been about 8 months since our world has changed. Parents have become our partners in education. In this partnership, there is no perfect formula... the most important thing to remember is that your relationship with your children is more important than being perfect at distance learning. We all want our children to become self-reliant learners...but how do we support this from home?
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When we think about scaffolding, we might imagine supporting a structure until the foundation is secure.
When we think about hovering, we might imagine an object lingering or staying still in one place.
If our goal is to support self-reliant learners, then we want to scaffold our children so that they will build a strong foundation for their learning future.
The following are tips to support your child’s distance learning at home. This is meant to be a family tool-box of things to try. It is not comprehensive and not all of it will work for your family. Look at this as a menu and use what works for you.
· Expectations: Together with your child, set behavioral expectations for independent work and Zoom time and review them daily.
· Goals and Progress: Write a simple list of activities that your child needs to complete each day.
· Be solution-focused: Let your child know when and how they can ask for help -be close but not there. What are 3 things they can do before they come to you for help?
· Time management: Use of a timer can help your child to stay focused for a period of time. Start small!
· Managing Frustration: Help your child to describe a problem and express their feelings (I feel...,when...). Ask teachers and others for help.
· Connection: Each day, try to connect with your child without any distractions. Highlight positive experiences. If you have time, do an activity together that your child selects.
Pandemic parenting is about your well-being and the well-being of your family. We acknowledge and honor the uniqueness of each family in our PS1 community and we hope that you will find these tips helpful.
Nancy and Genevieve