GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – COVID-19 has left classroom chairs empty and students working online from home.
Emily Verbruggen is a 6th grade teacher and mom in the Fox Valley. Two of her three kids are in school.
Verbruggen tells FOX 11 teaching online has been crazy because switching to online classes happened so fast — but she’s had a positive experience.
“Our kids are really familiar with a lot of digital learning already. We use the platform of Google Classroom, so that’s where a lot of my teaching has been. It wasn’t completely unfamiliar.”
Her first grade daughter Molly wishes she could see her friends, but she says going to school from home isn’t all bad.
“I’m happy that I still get to be learning and stuff.”
For younger children, educators are trying to help parents out as much as possible. Instructors at Fox Valley Technical College’s Parent-Child Center are no exception.
“Now (instructors) are thinking of how a parent would implement them and what materials and resources they would have in their own home,” Michelle Abrams, director of the Parent-Child Center, said.
Abrams tells FOX 11 instructors at the Parent-Child Center have been making videos for students teaching and sending their love.
“We hear so much from schools changing to online classes that we sometimes overlook our little early learners in our community. And they really thrive on routines and schedules and their interactions with others.”
Parent-Child Center instructors created a list of tips and activities to help families that have small children learning from home:
Tips for parents:
Try and keep your child on a schedule or routine
If working from home, make a quiet time bag with books, coloring books, puzzles for when you’re on conference calls
Have your child help with chores
Take at least 30 minutes to yourself each day (go for a walk, read, relax)
Get outside daily, let your children burn energy
Do your best and give yourself some slack
