Healthy Schools for Lee County

03/17/2021

04/10/2020

Now that schools have closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, how can parents best help their children learn and complete work while avoiding counterproductive power struggles?

Much of the answer involves sharing control within the boundaries of firm yet loving limits. It’s an old concept made even more relevant by the current situation. Most of us feel that our lives have been turned upside down. We’re experiencing little or no control over so many things.

Do we all yearn for control? What happens when we feel like we’ve lost it?

Obviously our kids are also experiencing many difficult feelings, including a sense of losing much of their freedom. That’s why small choices around schoolwork represent one of the most powerful ways of minimizing the chaos during these already difficult times. Listed below are some examples. Please remember that the choices you provide will depend on your unique situation and value system.


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Will you be starting your schoolwork now or in five minutes?


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What do you want to start with? Math or reading?


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Do you want to make a goal of working for 30 minutes before your break, or would 25 minutes be better?


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Will you be doing your work while sitting or standing?


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Do you think it would be best to draft something on pencil or paper… or begin your work directly on the computer?


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Would you like my help or would you prefer working alone?


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Do you want to learn in the kitchen or in the family room?


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Will you be working while keeping your body still, or would you rather see how much you can wiggle while still getting it done?


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Should we start with the hardest part first or the easiest?


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Would you rather help me with chores or get started on your schoolwork?


The key to success with this technique involves remembering three things:


1.

Give most of your choices before your child becomes resistant… not after.


2.

With each choice provide two options, each of which you like.


3.

Be prepared to choose for your child if they don’t select an option you provided.


While these ideas can’t solve all of the parenting challenges we face right now, they’ll increase the odds of getting through each day with fewer power struggles.

Thanks for reading. Thanks also for all of your support during these challenging times!

"Dr. Charles Fay - biography"Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay

This is "CF - Doing School at Home" by Love and Logic Institute, Inc. on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

03/30/2020

DAY ONE - Distance Learning

1. We're NOT homeschooling. WE'RE CRISIS SCHOOLING.
2. THE INTERNET WAS NOT PREPARED.
3. Some teachers feel empowered to be reasonable. Others do not.
4. Some districts are reasonable. Some are not.
5. Students and parents are most stressed where district requirements are unreasonable.
6. Some parents also have work obligations at home.
7. Connectivity may not improve quickly, if at all.
8. Not every day will be "productive." That's OK. It can still be a "good" day.
9. Being flexible teaches our children to be resilient.
10. Where needed, parents can email teacher to let them know what they feel is reasonable to expect from their child and should be willing to support that and no more. CC Principal and superintendent to document.

DAY ONE - Distance Learning
1. We're NOT homeschooling. WE'RE CRISIS SCHOOLING. ISOLATION schooling. This is not normal.
2. THE INTERNET WAS NOT PREPARED.
3. It is UNHEALTHY for kids to work online for hours at a time.
4. Some teachers feel empowered to be reasonable; others do not. Some districts are reasonable; some are not.
5. Students and parents are most stressed where district requirements are unreasonable.
6. Some parents also have work obligations at home.
7. Connectivity may not improve quickly, if at all.
8. Not every day will be "productive." That's OK. It can still be a "good" day. It helps to look at the world through our kids’ eyes.
9. Being flexible teaches our children how to be resilient.
10. Where needed, parents can email teacher to let them know what they feel is reasonable to expect from their child and should be willing to support that and no more. CC Principal and superintendent to document.

03/30/2020

Parents, if you have questions. Message me, give me phone number is direct message, if you like, and I will walk you through this.

03/29/2020

This!

This is my advice for those who have been thrust into schooling your kids at home due to the coronavirus COVID-19 shut downs. I'm a long time public school teacher and long time homeschool mom. I have been at this a combined total of 25 years and I have some encouragement to share as well as some wo...

03/26/2020

Just some fun this morning.

03/25/2020

Here are some great resources.

Kids don’t say, “Beloved parent, I’m having difficulty in my daily life. I don’t fully understand what’s happening, I miss my friends, I’m afraid someone

03/25/2020

Not that any of us need any assistance with discipline, but take a look if you feel inclined.

Educationandbehavior.com/how-to-discipline-a-child-with-behavior-problems/

Research-based and experienced-based strategies from a school psychologist on how to help a child with behavior problems…

03/25/2020

More resources for our kiddos with ASD

All children and young adults require support from caregivers during times of stress and uncertainty, such as those we are facing now with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Coping with the unknown and navigating school closures, abrupt changes in routines, loss of connections with teachers a...

03/25/2020

Here is a resource for parents of students with ASD

Http://Louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining/

Scroll down and hit “Supporting Students with ASD at Home During COVID-19”

Hope it helps!

Kentucky Autism Training Center