KLINGSHARE:#1 KLINGCHAT - MARCH 31, 2020 EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ELEMENTARY ED KlingShare:#1 shares ideas generated during an online conversation that invited early childhood and elementary educators to discuss challenges and successes in shifting to online schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HOW MIGHT EARLY-CHILDHOOD AND ELEMENTARY TEACHERS BUILD COMMUNITY WITH OUR YOUNGEST STUDENTS?
Create opportunities for real-time video interaction individually and in groups. Students need to see their teachers and each other. Recreate familiar school experiences, such as assembly or story time, via video. Keep morale up with wellness activities and fun (e.g. virtual spirit week, appearance of school staff) Create common experiences such as projects students do individually but share with classmates. Communicate community norms to students and their families, adjusting as needed Build a sustainable schedule, with synchronous and asynchronous elements, to meet the ongoing needs of the situation. Adapt as necessary. HOW MIGHT WE SUPPORT PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN AS THEY WORK WITH THEIR CHILDREN ON LEARNING TASKS?
Demonstrate empathy. Ease the pressure on parents with flexible expectations and permission to adjust where needed to make things work for their family situation. Prioritize and streamline communication with students and families. Give flexible options for connecting and getting information in either asynchonous and synchronous ways, such as both email and "office hours" via video chat. Utilize Seesaw and similar tools to create safe, private, personal interactions. Share ideas for daily and weekly schedules that help provide structure for students and parents while being adaptable to individual situations. Share ways to engage children in daily household tasks as a learning experience. Create activities that engage families together, like a weekly "family fun" challenge. Engage schools' wellness and counselling staff for those who need support. Survey the technology available to your families and adjust expectations accordingly. Provide technical assistance and accommodation for families with limited connectivity or shared devices. Provide opportunities for parents to connect with each other.
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