As the new school year has begun, many parents and caregivers are diligently trying to manage the complex world of virtual learning. It can feel chaotic, stressful, unnatural and even drive you to drink well before 5 o’clock.
Getting used to the various virtual learning platforms (Seesaw, Canvas, Google Classroom to name just a few), and the technical glitches that come along with high usage and demand, means that many parents are having to support their students constantly throughout the day. If you have a younger student like I do (my daughter is in Kindergarten) then you may be supporting them transition from one activity to the next every 30 – 45 minutes.
Whilst managing all of these new challenges your child will undoubtedly encounter new or unknown material. With virtual learning fatigue, parents may find it easiest to help their child whenever they find something challenging. Whatever you do….try to resist the urge to do this!
Allowing your child to grapple with a problem is a “life-long skill” that is like a muscle; the more it is used, the stronger it gets. Allowing your child to grapple with new or challenging experiences can help develop resilience and perseverance. All of this contributes to a child’s overall sense of self-worth and confidence.
This article written by Dr. David Daniel and Glenn Whitman explain perfectly why it is so important for us to allow our children to problem-solve and handle challenges without getting to the answer quickly and without effort.
Read the article here: Parent Tips: Don’t Give Them the Answers
