Whether your child is returning to the classroom, learning entirely online, or doing a hybrid approach, school is going to be very different this year and the new “normal” of learning is a unique struggle, for parents, teachers, and kids alike.
There is tremendous pressure on parents and caregivers. On top of juggling their own work demands and dealing with the economic and emotional stress of the ongoing pandemic, parents now have the added responsibility of being teachers. They must play an even more active role in their childs’ education and this is a huge undertaking, even for parents who were already highly involved.
“Parents, kids, and teachers are all grappling with the new ‘normal’ of learning and they desperately need positive strategies to make this work,” says Aneesh Chaudhry, a health specialist who has been instrumental in re-developing and implementing mental and physical wellness programs in the educational system. Through his non profit organization, SoulPhysio Foundation, Chaudhry works with existing schools to help educate faculty, parents, and students (specifically kids struggling with mental and neurological illness) on how to succeed academically and build a healthier brain by living a healthy lifestyle.
One major deficit in the COVID-19 era curriculum is the lack of kinesthetic learning activities or lessons that incorporate movement.
“Students learn best when they are engaged in hands-on activities. Learning through movement and physical activities changes the way the brain works and can accelerate the learning process,” says Chaudhry.
One suggestion Chaudhry has for parents and teachers is to consider their child’s needs for structure. He recommends taking “brain breaks” that carve out time for focus and socializing. He also suggests having regular emotional check-ins with kids, even if they aren’t giving clear warning signs that there is a problem. Chaudhry encourages parents to monitor their own mental and physical health as it is crucial for sustainability. One way parents can do this is to shift their mindset and make wellness a family endeavor by engaging in family activities outside of school work like cooking, exercising, and meditating.
