Here are some ideas from edutopia.org to help cope with learning at home.
- Understand that teachers may need to evaluate which IEP goals are achievable in the new environment, then work with parents to break learning targets into manageable benchmarks.
- For best parental support, teachers should check in regularly with parents via phone, video conference, or email. For parents and caregivers whose first language is not English, a three-way interpreter from LanguageLine.com is helpful.
- Have a Google classroom just for parents, so they can connect and swap ideas about what’s working well and what’s not.
- Home learning activities should follow a regular schedule which mirrors the school day. Create a schedule board (tactile or digital) with images of activities that prompt students what to do and when. See this free download.
- When switching activities, use a kitchen timer which reminds students of a bell schedule at school.
- Try having learning activities take place in different spaces in the home.
- To help students release energy, use simple objects like colored play dough and bubble wrap, or brain-based games like Jenga.
- To provide a sense of security, put a bag of rice and/or beans inside the student’s pocket, to substitute as a weighted vest or weighted blanket.
- To reduce tension, let students write or draw in shaving cream. Hugs, deep breathing, and running around outside can also help.