Dear Parents and Guardians,
Over the past year and a half, life as we know it changed all over the world. Virtually everyone has been impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19, and we are all trying to find new ways to adapt to the evolving situation.
We understand that COVID-19 is still affecting families in a variety of ways. While some families are still learning from home, others have returned to in-person learning. Like you, we want what’s best for your child. With that in mind, we’d like to offer the following tips to our families continuing to learn at home:
Be flexible. What is being asked of you is huge. Parenting, working, and teaching are all full-time jobs, and many of you are now trying to do all three at once. We urge you to be flexible and understanding—with your kids, with their teachers, and with yourselves. Understand that the rules will need to bend, and that’s okay.
Do your best to find normalcy in an uncertain time. If you can, create a schedule for your day. Schedule in school time, meal time, fun time, and exercise. Younger children will need your support, but older kids will be able to draft their own schedules and may even appreciate the opportunity to express their own agency.
Build in time together as a family, including one-on-one time with all of your family members. Be sure to also schedule time apart. Alone time is important too!
Acknowledge the feelings that are happening—fear, restlessness, and anxiety are all real, and it can help to identify and name the feelings to work through them together. Do not hesitate to reach out to a professional when needed. These current events will have a profound impact on many people, and it’s important to reach out for help.
We’re all in this together. We promise you that we will continue to do what we can to support you, so that you can continue to keep your kids engaged, learning, and safe.
From all of us at Carnegie Learning
