I’m in a unique place during this different season. I’m single, living on my own, but I’m a kindergarten teacher. My days are spent flipping between adult life and picture books. I’m now teaching kindergarten through parents online since my students are not yet able to engage in Google Classroom on their own. There are a few things I’d like to share with you that I’ve learned so far interacting with families, students and other teachers.

First off, don’t stress about school! There are bigger things going on in the lives of many families. The expectation for kindergarten to grade 6 is only an hour each day and two hours for grades 7 and 8. The Ontario curriculum is designed to be a continuum, the same ideas are taught and slightly expanded on each year. Your child’s year and education won’t be scrapped because they are not in the physical classroom during this season. Next year the concepts will be reviewed and retaught if necessary. We, as teachers care so much about our student’s and families well-being. I spend a lot of time praying for my kiddos that their home would be a safe and nurturing environment during these weeks. I try to plan activities for my students that can be engaging for all in the family to encourage positive interactions.

Help your kids connect with other kids. If your class is offering online hangouts or meetings, try and attend once every few weeks. Even though the kids might not be having seemingly meaningful conversations, their spirits are lifted as much as ours are by seeing and saying hi to a friend. Each Thursday, my class goes ‘live’ on Google Meet. I love reading a story but my favourite is when each child says hello and shares something that is going on in their lives. Wiggly teeth, birthdays, baking, FaceTiming with friends are all so exciting to share. If you don’t know the families of your child’s school friends, send a message to the teacher. Just like we pass phone numbers along at school for play dates, we are more than willing to pass a phone number along to another family in the class so your kids can connect virtually.

Learning happens in so many different ways, not only pencil and paper. As I mentioned, I like to include activities in my weekly plan that can be played with multiple children or family members. Card games and board games are wonderful at teaching math concepts, how to play fairly, take turns, and win or lose. Monopoly, snakes and ladders, scrabble, tenzie, go fish, and crazy 8s are all great games to start with. Get outside and allow your kids to ask the dreaded ‘why’ question. Instead of answering ‘because’, use that opportunity to research and find answers for the curious mind.

Please, read with your children. I’ve told my families that if they’re only able to do one thing with their child in this season it would be read. No matter the age, you can learn so many life lessons and escape to other worlds though stories. Older kids need to hear stories read too, hearing a fluent reader is huge in developing reading abilities. Choose a book to read together, take turns reading the pages or chapters aloud. If you don’t have any new books at home, the London Public Library has a huge online collection that can be borrowed on a tablet, computer or phone. Have younger kids hunt for letters and words on the page. Encourage them to write their own sequel to the story. Check to see if your child understands what they have read by asking them to retell what happened in the story. Have older kids think about what the problem is and if they would solve the problem the same or differently than the characters.

Know that marks don’t matter but the heart of the child and family does. Do what you can to be a family and support each other through this season. Schools will one day resume, years will pass by, and your child won’t always be at home.

I want to leave you with a fun science experiment to do and wonder at with your family. This would be a great rainy day activity.

Mini Water Cycle
Materials: glass jar, lid, hot water, ice cubes
Procedure: fill the jar up no more than 1/4 of the way with very hot water. Place the lid on top. Place ice cubes on top of the lid. Watch and observe a cloud form in the jar then it begin to rain.
Ask questions of your child before the experiment, making predictions as to what they think might happen. Watch and observe, sharing what they see happening.
Make connections to the weather, clouds, atmosphere, precipitation. You can research the water cycle and learn all the steps of how God provides for the needs of the earth through this cycle.