Yesterday was our first day at attempting social distancing, and I have to say, it was not easy!! We are already “officially” homeschoolers, but both of my kids attend private schools 2 day per week and are also involved in classes, extracurriculars, and therapies literally every single day. So homeschooling does not equal social distancing on a regular basis for us.
The fortunate thing about us already homeschooling, of course, is that we didn’t have to scramble to figure out flex work schedules, child care, or working from home. And we already have curriculums and educational materials stocked up. I can’t imagine the amount of overwhelm many families are experiencing right now trying to figure out how to have their children home from school unexpectedly for anywhere from a week to the remainder of the school year.
I am hoping that this short guide can be helpful as you get started, especially if you are having to weather this change with neurodivergent children.
1. Talk to you children about what is going on. I have attached a social narrative to help explain the situation. Here is a BrainPop video about Coronavirus, as well. https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/ . And here is info to help quell anxiety from a resource that I really love: https://gozen.com/coronavirus-anxiety/. Make sure to point out to your children that they are not in any danger and that the sickness has been very mild for kids,m, but that we as a society are working together to keep it from spreading to people whose immune systems cannot easily fight it.
2. Take the time to make a plan. It can be very simple, but most neurodiverse kids NEED a plan. Think through your own priorities and needs and construct a simple daily schedule that you can post visibly for your kids. It is OK if you can’t replicate anything close to your child’s current school schedule. No need to do that. Just give them something they can depend on so that they have a structure in their mind of what they can expect. This will help alleviate stress from everyone and help the day go much more smoothly. I have attached a sample daily schedule, but whatever you come up with that works for your family is FINE!
3. For kids with AD/HD (and any other kids who need lots of stimulation/input throughout the day): These kids can pose a unique challenge in a “stuck-at-home” situation because they sometimes need more activity and sensory input than the average child. These are often the kids who express that they feel “bored” all day long and are literally climbing up the walls and are begging to go somewhere or play with friends. These kids NEED lots of engagement. I have one of these kids, and here are a few things that might make your days go more smoothly.
a. Divide the time with this child between family members, when possible. These kids often do better when they are working with someone else. So they might have a hour assigned to playing with a younger sibling, an hour working with an older sibling, an hour playing games and doing math with Parent A, and an hour reading and doing yoga with Parent B. (I know there are not always multiple family members available, but this can work when there are.)
b. Provide short, exciting “stations” for your child to engage with in between the (possibly less exciting) academic activities that you’ve assigned to them. This can also help when they need to be self-engaged while you work from home. I like to set out only a few of the toys/activities we own at a time, making them more novel when they are out and accessible. Today, the magnetic tiles are out. Tomorrow, it might be the marble run or a box of pipe cleaners. Some children can use these items in an open ended way, while others may need you to encourage them to complete a challenge, such as designing and building a car or seeing how high they can build a tower. Here are some ideas: https://frugalfun4boys.com/awesome-stem-challenges/, and here are Lego challenge cards that you can print. https://thestemlaboratory.com/lego-challenge-cards/
c. Include as much physical activity as possible into their day. Depending on where you live, you should still be able to go hiking or biking on nice days. If you are stuck indoors, try having dance breaks, challenge your child to build an obstacle course and race through it, or look up yoga videos on youtube to do together.
Here are ideas that support sensory integration and help to keep your child regulated, content, and learning to the best of their abilities. https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/sensory-integration-activities.html
Also, this is new to me, but the apps GoNoodle and GoNoodle Games are free and full of movement videos and games designed to help kids burn some energy. I just downloaded them today and reviewed them briefly, and they seem great for days that it’s impossible to get outside and move.
4. For kids with Anxiety and/or Autism: For the anxious or rigid child, abruptly having school cancelled is a HUGE change. Their schedule is different, they are not seeing their teachers, their routines at home are not even the same. That is hard!! Here are some ways to help them through this time.
a. Go back to step 1. Discuss the reasons for school closures, and continue to reassure them that they are safe, and all is well. Read through the social story again. Answer their questions calmly.
b. Go back to step 2. Have a plan. Write it down. Post it where they can see it. I cannot tell you how reassuring this is for an autistic or anxious child. Some children may need a visual schedule, and here is a program that you can use to create one: https://goboardmaker.com/
c. Try to create a rhythm or routine that can become regular and dependable for the child. Basically, whatever schedule you create, stick to it! (whenever possible)
d. Include a grounding and anxiety-reducing activity into your morning routine, such as mindfulness, meditation, prayer, or yoga. Here are some yoga and mindfulness cards that we use at our house: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=yoga+cards&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_1.
You can also do anything that feels more natural to you, if those things seem confusing or out of reach. Just sing a few songs you all like together before you start your day. Or take the dog on a walk while discussing any worries and also discussing the schedule and expectations for the day.
e. Take this opportunity to teach your child some ways to calm themselves, such as breathing techniques or self-talk. I highly recommend GoZen (www.gozen.com) for children ages 8-10 and up; it is an on-line program that helps kids learn to combat anxiety.
f. Use whatever accommodations are necessary to reduce sensory overwhelm. My daughter wears headphones with her favorite music while doing schoolwork to block out sibling noises. We also make sure that work spaces are clear and comfortable before having a child begin an assignment. Finally, make sure that instructions are simple and direct to avoid a frustrated, confused, and overwhelmed child.
g. This could be a great opportunity to utilize your child’s special interest areas and increase their love of learning. Does your child love LEGOs? Have them “build a story” with them, then write it down. Are they obsessed with Pokemon? They can do Pokemon math, read books about Pokemon, design new Pokemon characters, etc. The options are literally endless, and it can be a way that your child can gain confidence and really enjoy their learning time at home.
School Closing and COVID-19 Social Narrative
(E-mail me at megan@neurodiversityempowerment.com if you need the version with pictures or for help modifying this one.)
School is going to be closed for (insert amount of time). This amount of time might change, and I will let you know if it does.
Instead of going to school on weekdays, you will stay home (or insert where child will be going.)
The reason school is closed is because a virus has been infecting some people. It is called COVID-19 and is a new type of Corona Virus. Doctors and leaders want to protect everyone by slowing down how quickly it can spread. They have suggested that schools and other places where lots of people are very close to each other be closed for a while. This is so that people don’t spread germs from one person to another person.
You are safe and not in danger. The virus is not making kids very sick. If you catch it, you may feel like you have a cold, or you might not even know that you have it. But we are helping other people, such as elderly people whose bodies cannot fight the virus as easily, by staying home for now. So when we all stay away from big crowds, we are helping others. Staying home to do school for a while is a nice thing that we can do to help others.
You will get to do your schoolwork at home (or insert other place) for (insert time period.) (Insert name of parents or others who will help with teaching) will help teach you and give you assignments to complete. You can ask them if you have questions or need help. Some things will be similar to being at school, but some things will be different. This change will not will not last forever. You will go back to school and see your teachers and friends again.
Resource List
Here are some curriculums and programs that we use and love.
Khan Acadamy: Free Math Lessons, as well as lessons in other subjects. https://www.khanacademy.org
Epic: On-line Books and Read Alouds. https://www.getepic.com/
Beast Academy: https://beastacademy.com/ This is a paid subscription, and we use it as a main curriculum, as opposed to just enrichment. So if your school has provided another curriculum to follow, you probably wouldn’t need this.
Update: Beast Academy is offering $15 off a subscription with code: flattenthecurve.
Prodigy: Fun, online math enrichment game. https://www.prodigygame.com/
Teach Your Monster to Read: Free (and fun!) phonics and reading practice. https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/
GoZen: On-line program to teach kids to cope with anxiety. https://gozen.com/
Waldock Way Passports to Adventure: This could be a fantastic and fun short term curriculum to use. It covers all subjects except math and can work with multi-ages (up to around ages 10-12). You might want to add some phonics with the younger kids. You can pick a Magic Treehouse book every week or 2 weeks, and the curriculum is full of fun hands-on activities to go along with the book. Easy to implement and good for a wide variety of learning styles and needs.
https://www.thewaldockway.com/product/passport-to-adventures/ Update: I reached out to the author of this curriculum, and she’s offered readers 20% off of anything on her site, using code “schoolathome.” They also offer a fantastic Harry Potter themed curriculum, as well as lots of other fun unit studies.
Mystery Science: These are short, well-laid out science lessons that hold my kids’ interests. Multi-age.
https://mysterydoug.com/ (short, weekly videos) and https://mysteryscience.com/ (lessons) Update: The author is offering free lessons during the closings. You can sign-up on the website.
Outschool: On-line classes with live teachers offering a wide-array of subjects. Students get to interact with peers, as well, unless you sign up for a video recorded class. https://outschool.com/ Update: Outschool is offering $200 worth of classes completely free to each family impacted by the closures! Go here to register: https://outschool.com/2020-school-closures-offer#us9vpHo5Xu
Scholastic Resources: This is something new that we might add to our day. Lots of videos, articles, and ideas for each day that schools are closed.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/teaching-tools/articles/resources/scholastic-learn-at-home--free-resources-for-school-closures.html
Brain Pop: Fun videos and lesson on many topics (and free during school closure): www.brainpop.com
Moby Max: Engaging, on-line lessons in many subject areas. Free. https://www.mobymax.com/
Visual Schedule Maker: www.goboardmakeronline.com
University Tutors: We just discovered these FREE interactive, online classes and summer camps. There are so many great options for all school ages, covering a wide variety of interest areas. https://www.varsitytutors.com/virtual-summer-camps.
Sample Schedule for an Elementary Child Learning at Home
8 am- Breakfast
8:30- Morning Meeting- Mindfulness and/or Yoga Activity and Review the Daily Schedule
OR Walk and Talk
8:45- Math Work- Use the curriculum provided by the school, or use Khan Academy or Beast Academy.
9:30- Movement Activity and/or Fast-Paced Cleaning Time with Music
10:00- Family Read Aloud and Discussion -You can choose books that cover science and history topics within your child’s interest area or use the Waldock Way curriculum that uses the Magic Tree House books.
10:30- Writing Activity and Literacy Time- This can include free/creative writing time, response to read aloud, handwriting and/or spelling practice, grammar worksheets or activities, etc.
11:15/11:30- “Recess” (play time) while parent preps lunch, tidies house, plans for afternoon, etc.
12:00- Lunch
1:00- Independent Reading Time, Educational Apps, and/or Watch a Documentary
1:40- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and/or Mathematics) Hands-on Activity-Just google STEM or STEAM activities, and you’ll find LOTS of fun options. Or you can use the Mystery Science curriculum on some days, and do art activities on the other days.
2:30- Outdoor Play, if possible
3:00- Art, Poetry, and Music Tea Time- Listen to classical music, read poetry, and discuss art while having snacks and tea. OR Board Game Time- There are many board games that are both fun and highly educational.
*** This is only a sample schedule and can be adapted to fit your family’s personal needs. For parents working from home, you can substitute on-line programs for most of the above activities. Please reach out if you need more ideas about how to structure your day; I’m happy to help. E-mail me at megan@neurodiversityempowerment.com with any questions. Best of luck!!
Self-Regulation Dice Game: I have been working hard to create a boredom busting self-regulation game that you can play with your kids at home. It is easy to set-up and learn and is guaranteed to help them get a little energy out, while also learning valuable self-regulation, sensory integration, and self calming techniques. My kids and I tested it this morning, but if you come across any problems while playing it, please let me know!
I was confident that I could post a pdf file here, but it turns out that I can't. If you would like the file, I need you to send me a quick e-mail at the address above, and I will send it to you ASAP. (And let me know whether or not you are ok being on my e-mail list for future resources.) Thanks!