Easing back into learning – at home – overwhelming for some parents

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Many moms and dads have been working at home because of COVID-19 concerns and, starting this week, it is their kids’ turn.

Parents – especially those with multiple children – are, in some cases, feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of overseeing schoolwork which, for many elementary and high school students, begins on Monday.

Districts, schools and teachers have worked hard over a short period of time to find creative and supportive ways to slowly ease kids back into learning.

But that has meant many calls and emails – from one or two teachers for younger kids to eight teachers or more for a high school student. For families with multiple children, that adds up.

Teachers are also using different ways to engage with students and assign work, including through emails, teacher websites, school portals, video conferencing tools and group chats. Some are even using apps like Instagram.

Parents overseeing a large family’s learning need to stay on top of it all, and that can mean keeping tabs on eight different teachers using eight different ways to teach for each student in higher grades.

Technology can also be an issue as households juggle tablets and computers for children and parents working from home.

However, districts, schools and teachers are making it clear that this is process, and that everyone has a learning curve during this unusual time – teachers, too — and effort is being made to be as supportive as possible of every situation.