TIPS FOR PARENTS DURING REMOTE LEARNING

Helping your children balance their time spent using digital devices for learning with physical exercise and offline learning tasks is really important during this lockdown. I have included some tips to support parents with assisting their children during this time.

Managing screen time and online safety

It’s important you keep a balanced approach to home learning. Time spent using digital devices for learning should be broken up with physical exercise and offline learning tasks often.

It’s also important that during this time of remote learning we maintain safe and responsible use of information and communication technologies.

Looking after your child's wellbeing

Wellbeing comes from physical, mental and emotional health.

For children and young people, there are many things that build positive wellbeing. Wellbeing can come from:

• understanding and managing emotions
• having good relationships
• experiencing a sense of accomplishment
• taking part in healthy activities, getting lots of sleep and eating well

Build your child's wellbeing

There's many things you can do at home to help build and sustain your child’s wellbeing.

Praise, encouragement and positive attention

Praise helps your child feel good about themselves, which boosts self-esteem and confidence. It can also encourage good behaviour.

You can:

• give your child praise when they behave in ways that you want to encourage
• give your child attention. For example, play a game with them, do an activity together, send them a friendly text message, ask about their interests
• praise your teenager for their strengths
• let your child know you are proud of them.

Positive self-talk

Self-talk is the way we talk to ourselves with our inner voice. Positive self-talk is when we say positive things to ourselves. Self-talk has big impact on how we feel and what we do.

Encouraging your child to talk to themselves in a kind and positive way can help improve their wellbeing and help them manage stress.

When you hear them speaking about themselves that is not kind, you can:

• bring it to their attention
• ask them if what they are saying is true
• get them to think of a more helpful thought
• encourage your child to ‘speak’ to themselves the way they would speak to a best friend
• regularly remind your child of their strengths and accomplishments.

Maintain good relationships

A positive relationship with your child is critical to supporting wellbeing.

• Share family memories and stories together.
• Try to eat a meal together each night.
• Establish and maintain family rituals and routines.
• Social connections are vital for your child’s wellbeing. For example, helping your child stay connected to friends is important.

LILLIAN DEL GIUDICE

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL