When it comes to your child’s education, COVID-19 has presented a number of challenges. However, by following these simple tips from our Calgary Montessori preschool, you can set your little one up for virtual learning success.
When COVID-19 hit during the spring, schools, daycares, and preschools closed down, with some still closed for the foreseeable future. Working parents had to support their children as they logged into remote learning programs, and this has posed many challenges to parents, including:
- Juggling work and childrens’ online learning schedule
- Anxiety about the pandemic
- Feeling overwhelmed and burned out
- Worrying about interruptions during work hours
At Grey Matter Montessori, a leading preschool and daycare here in Calgary, we know just how difficult this time has been for our students and their families. However, we still remain committed to promoting your child’s academic, social, and physical development, even during this challenging period.
Fall Registration at Our Calgary Montessori Preschool Is Now Open
At Grey Matter Montessori, we would like to thank our parents for their hard work and support during this difficult time. We are happy to announce that our fall registration is now open and packages can be sent out via email.
Want to know more?
CONTACT OUR CALGARY MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL
How to Set Your Child Up for Virtual Learning Success
Virtual learning creates a number of challenges for parents, as well as their children, and this is especially true for preschool and elementary school-aged children, who may have had a tougher time adjusting to the ‘new normal’.
However, there are some steps parents can take to creating a more conducive environment for working and learning at home. Here are five simple tips to help you increase your child’s engagement and learning retention while at home:
1. Structure the Day
Children thrive when they have a routine. Even though virtual school is a completely different experience from attending school in person, make sure to maintain a regular schedule whenever possible. This means:
- Getting your children ready for the day, just as they would when attending school in a regular setting
- Providing recess and lunch breaks
- Setting an end to the day
This structure will not only inject some normalcy into their day, but it will also help them keep a routine and focus while learning.
2. Provide Opportunities for Recess and Physical Activity
Physical activity is a key part of attending a regular school and children need opportunities for physical movement throughout the day. This is important because exercise will:
- Increase blood flow to the brain
- Improve concentration
- Support the natural learning style of your child
During this time, be open to alternative modes of learning that allow your children to move their bodies and always try to support their best learning style. Whenever possible, get your little one outdoors to move around and burn off energy.
3. Limit Screen Time
Virtual learning will require a significant amount of screen time during the day, and this can be a concern for educators and parents. Given this increase, you may want to curb access to screen time when school hours are over. Instead, encourage other activities such as reading, playing outside, or playing with their favourite toys.
4. Provide Opportunities for Your Child to Engage With Friends
Socialization is a very important part of the learning experience and while virtual learning can offer education on core subject matter, your child still needs to interact with friends on a regular basis. You may want to consider giving your child such opportunities through video conferencing calls and even in-person play dates while following certain guidelines, such as:
- Wearing masks
- Washing hands regularly
- Staying outside to play whenever possible
Remember, staying connected to their friends is very important for your child’s social development and their overall well-being, so encouraging such activities, while following the correct guidelines to stay safe, is of utmost importance.
Get in Touch for Fall Enrolment Applications
At our NW Calgary Montessori preschool, we are now accepting applications for fall enrolment! For more information on how to register, please contact us at 587-707-4739 or fill out our online contact form.
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