Reach and Rise: Home Centered Learning

We all learn differently and have individual strengths and stumbling blocks. For youth with diagnoses such as Autism, spectrum disorders, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, or even trauma, tasks that require focus and comprehension can be difficult. You may suddenly find yourself the teacher, principal, classroom aid, counselor, and paraprofessional all rolled into one, and that is a lot! We want to help you by sharing resources that can help your child reach their personal and educational goals in the coming months, and perhaps beyond.

New Online and Remote Learning Strategies

• All children benefit from knowing what they are expected to do, how long it should take, and what will happen when they have finished their work. A simple visual chart with or without pictures really helps!
• A simple system for work management is to establish a tray or folder that contains the work the child needs to complete during that morning or afternoon session. This is placed on the child’s left-hand side. They then complete the work as indicated on their timetable and tick it off when they have finished. All completed work is placed in another box or folder on their right-hand side.
• Remember that your child’s age has a lot of bearing on how much work they can do in one sitting. Depending on a student’s age and focus development, brain break frequency will vary. As a general rule, a concentrated study of 10 to 15 minutes for elementary school and 20 to 30 minutes for middle and high school students call for a three- to five-minute break.
• Use a timer (for yourself and your kiddo) so you can SEE how much time you need to spend on homework. If the timer goes off and the homework isn't done - take a break. Come back to it at a later time, when you’ve had a chance to regroup and recharge.
• Make sure the mindset is right. There is absolutely no value in trying to do schoolwork with a child who is too tired, too stressed, or too anxious to settle down. If you see signs that your child isn’t ready, put the homework off until a better time. If your child is rushing, step in right away, and slow them down. Stop and ask them questions like “How are you doing right now?”, “Are you doing your best work?”, or “Do you think your teacher will be able to read that?”
• Most children, whether autistic or neurotypical, have a special interest in something that is not necessarily related to a specific school subject. This might be space, animals, music or films. Now would be a great time to employ the knowledge that they have and encourage them to develop their own project based around their special interest! It could include writing stories or poetry, drawing, collecting images from the internet, taking photographs, interviewing others about their experience of a particular subject, and putting it all together in a notebook or folder. The special project could be used as a reward for completing the agreed school work for the day.
• Working one on one often takes less time than working with a group. It’s ok to get down on the floor or sit down at the table and help them with their school packets.
• Use snacks to your benefit. Try using pretzels or gummy bears as homework time snacks. Chewing actually promotes concentration!
• Remember, there is always more than one way to do something. If your child doesn’t understand a math problem or other concept show them your way of doing it. Or, if you have the technology to do so, Google other ways of doing it. Is your child struggling with fractions? Go to the kitchen and cut up an apple, cookie, pizza, etc.
• Don’t try to make it “school at home.” The dynamic is SO different. You can do math in bed & foreign language while loading the dishwasher. Make beanbags (remember that fabric stash? If you don’t have thread just staple them) & toss them while chanting times tables. Use your environment and resources to their fullest potential.

For more ideas, structure, and information check out some other folks who have compiled helpful lists, charts, schedules, and creative ideas. Know that there is support and encouragement all around you. You’ve got this!

Coronavirus Home Schooling Survival Guide by Here She Grows

Coronavirus Home Schooling Survival Guide

Simple Homeschool Schedule for Working Moms by Not Consumed

https://www.notconsumed.com/simple-homeschool-schedule-for-working-moms/?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=Social

Covid-19 Cheatsheet by Little Earthling Blog

Homeschooling Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for Parents Covid-19

Covid-19 School Closure Homeschool Checklist

https://rageagainsttheminivan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-SCHOOL-CLOSURE-HOMESCHOOL-SCHEDULE-670x1024.jpg

Great Ideas for Teens during Quarantine by Brook Romney

Great Ideas for Teens During a Quarantine

Kate Eberle Cotter and Melanie Holzwarth work as a team in the Reach and Rise youth Mentoring program at the YMCA. Kate is a clinician who has worked in a variety of youth populations, and Melanie is a mom raising two children with Autism and an experienced homeschool educator. As we have met and spoken with families in our community, both during and prior to our current pandemic situation, we recognize a need for resources - especially for families with neuro-diverse kiddos.