Giving Your Students the Best You

Welcome back to another blog! ☺

As a teacher being abruptly thrown into this new normal of digital learning, it can be hard to always believe that you are doing your best to help every student succeed. You may not be the best with technology yourself, so how do you continue to give your students the education they deserve?

It is understandable for you to feel like your top priority right now is your students, but are you forgetting about yourself? The first step in finishing this school year strong, is making sure that your students are getting the best version of you possible!

Self-Care 101

Workspace: As tempting as it may be to do your work from your bed, still in your pajamas, cuddled up in your favorite blanket… it is in your best interest to find a different spot in your house to dedicate to your work, for the current time being. Working from your bed has many disadvantages to your mental and physical health.

‘When it comes to switching off the light at night, if you’ve been in your bed all day, thoughts about work are more likely to persist.’ By the same coin, working from your bed means it’s also likely you’ll be less productive and more likely to nod off during the day. –Dailymail

Take more breaks: Try to set up a work schedule with microbreaks. While you are cooped up, it is important to make sure that you do not overwork yourself into a full blown burnout. The Formula for Perfect Productivity suggests working 52 minutes and having a break for 17.

An article on The Science of Taking Breaks at Work lists 3 benefits of taking breaks:

          1. Breaks keep us from getting bored
      1. Breaks help us retain information and make connections
      2. Breaks help us reevaluate our goals

Recognize what IS and what ISN’T in your control: Technology can’t be perfect, and neither can you. Set reasonable expectations for yourself and your students. Don’t spend time dwelling on things you can never change. Rather, you should set an example for your students and show them that it’s okay to not know everything, it’s okay to have bad days, and it’s okay for you to learn along side your students sometimes too.

Remember that everyone is struggling, overwhelmed, stressed, and upset right now. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Don’t give up on yourself or the young ones looking to you for guidance. As long as you are giving your best effort, it is more than enough! This all shall pass soon.

“Every challenge, every adversity, contains within it the seeds of opportunity and growth.”
― Roy Bennett

Other Great Resources:

  1. Going Online in a Hurry: What to Do and Where to Start
  2. So You Want to Temporarily Teach Online
  3. Effective Teaching Online
  4. Pocketful of Primary (Teacher Youtube Channel)
  5. Coronavirus Resources for Teachers

Stay safe and I’ll see again in the next post!

Helping Your Child Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the world enters unknown territory with the Coronavirus, it is no question how detrimental and life changing this pandemic has already become. Families are struggling with incomes and job loss, parents/guardians are figuring out how to be teachers, hugging loved ones is no longer a form of affection… everyone’s lives are being flipped around, but what about the children?

The pandemic is already difficult for adults to cope with and understand, so how do we explain this new way of life to the children? How do we help protect their mental health?

Just Breathe

Practice breathing exercises with your children to help manage upset, angry, or sad emotions. Meditation is a healthy way to relieve stress and also create a bonding time for your family.

Mindfulness Meditation for Kids | BREATHING EXERCISE | Guided Meditation for Children

Download our App for free: Apple iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/new-horizon-kids-meditation/id1457179117#? Google Play (Android): https://play.google.com…

Stay Fit While Staying Home

According to the WHO:

  • Children and youth aged 5–17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
  • Amounts of physical activity greater than 60 minutes provide additional health benefits.
  • Most of the daily physical activity should be aerobic. Vigorous-intensity activities should be incorporated, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 times per week.

Make the most of your time safe at home by introducing work outs or physical activity games into your daily routines. Try to get outside when possible, and soak in the Vitamin D. Play catch, run around, decorate your sidewalks with sidewalk chalk, try yoga, have a dance party, the possibilities are endless!

Stay Connect, Even When Apart

If possible, make virtual play dates for your children to “hang out” with friends. Using sites, like Zoom, Google Classroom, Netflix Party, your child can still enjoy peer interactions while staying safe.

This would also be fun to do with the family members you have all been missing!

Having time to talk about this new world with others can be a huge stress reliever for your worrisome child. Pick up a phone and give someone else company as well.

Continue staying safe and remember to wash your hands

Other Resources:

  1. Concerns for the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents during the Coronavirus Pandemic
  2. 100 things to do while stuck inside due to a pandemic

  3. Fun Science Experiments for Kids