Episode 27: Virtual Teaching from Home with Your Kids There

So, you've set up your online instruction platform, you've contacted the parents, you've got new lesson plan and you're pumped to get the virtual lessons started. However, as a teacher with our own personal lives, it's quite challenging to juggle taking care of your students and your own children at home. As you may or may not know, I'm a mom of two kids. I've got a four year old and a five year old and our new normal says my kids are here when I'm working.

Although I've been lucky enough to work from home and teach whenever my kids were home sick, it can get overwhelming when both your work and your kids need you full attention. But don't worry my friend, in today's episode, I am excited to share these wonderful tips so you can avoid the mistakes I've made.

Hopefully, today's episode is gonna be fun and a little insightful because this is something that I've been working with and dealing with for two years now.

Tips for Virtual Teaching From Home With Your Kids There

Give yourself grace, especially at the beginning. Give yourself, your kids, the families you work with, and your students a little grace. Everybody is settling into a new normal in their own way. And that means that nobody is acting the way that they usually do. And nobody can really be expected to do everything that they used to be doing. So, take it easy and give yourself time to adjust.

Find a routine. It gives them something to do when you need to focus on something else. A routine will also help them learn responsibilities and time management. And on your end, you're able to better schedule your classes since your children will be following a set schedule.

Save snacks, and screen time for when you're virtual teaching. They are life savers. Have a platter of fruits and vegetables, have them tune in to their favorite kids show and this should give you uninterrupted time to teach.

Have direct interactions before and after your teaching time. Give them some direct attention, play whatever game they're playing, show them that you're interested in whatever they're doing. Don't forget to let them know that you'll have classes at a certain time and what to expect. It really cuts down on how much they interrupt my meetings.

Create a happy list. Do something on that happy list every single day to keep your sanity and your endorphins high.

I hope that all of this helps you and I hope you're able to use this just to take a step forward.