A REAL Back-to-School Supplies List
Parents and their at-home students are settling into their fall distance learning schedules. It can be overwhelming – juggling your child’s education, your job, and taking care of your family’s health and well-being during a pandemic.
In addition to the usual notebooks, pencils, stickers, and the occasional graphing calculator, there are some other provisions you will need this year. Ophelia’s Place offers this slightly different “back-to-school supplies” list to help you and your child get ready for school during COVID-19.
Patience. Adjusting to change takes time. Stay in the moment and appreciate gradual progress in adapting to new things and completing tasks. Celebrate small victories!
Organization. Keep your work space and your child’s learning space “user friendly.” Help build the habit of tidying up work and learning spaces at the end of each day. Organize your time using tools like timers, reminders on your phone, and calendars. This will keep you and your child on-task and help you see your progress.
Communication. Talk about expectations for each other as family members and support each other in respecting your goals and needs.
Reminders. Use a timer, your phone, and calendars to help keep track of various meetings, calls, and due dates for assignments and projects. Visual aids like a wall calendar can be really helpful.
Self-Compassion. Set aside perfectionism for yourself and your child. You are doing the best you can in challenging and unique times. Remember to breathe and be kind to yourself as you work with your child to figure out what works best for your family.
Focus tools. Keep a doodle pad handy for online classes/meetings. Non-electronic fidget tools can be handy for some learners to aid with attention, and put away electronics that aren’t in use to minimize distractions.
Breaks. Schedule breaks to move bodies, stretch, hug, wiggle, or have a spontaneous kitchen dance party. Getting up and away from screens and focused activities helps kids (and you!) come back re-energized and able to learn.
Connect. Reach out to your friends who are parents for support and empathy and to share what works and what doesn’t. Remember you are not alone in this experience and it’s okay to ask for help from your support network. Learn about upcoming ways to connect with other parents and girls virtually. Subscribe to the Ophelia’s Place e-mail list (below) or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind as you implement these practices is that expectations will be different not only from last year to this year, but potentially from week-to-week or day-to-day. As our stress levels ebb and wane, it’s okay to pause and reassess what’s realistic for the day. Staying in the moment and realizing you and your child are doing the best you can will help you stay centered and use your “supplies” to get back on track.