Suddenly distance learning? This Daily Routine Chart is perfect for organizing tasks from your child's teacher along with chores or other learning activities you set up.

Ok guys, here we are.  At this point, most of us will be distance learning for the rest of the year.  I know, it's not what we expected.  And you may not be prepared.  I promise, we'll get through this together.

I'm going to put on my teacher hat here.  You know how I managed classrooms of 30 or more kids? PREPARATION AND ROUTINE.  Now teaching a class of one is VERY different as any homeschool mom can tell you.  Your day will be shorter.  You're not doing transition times or some of the things you do in a traditional school.  But here's the catch-22.  Right now we're trying to do DISTANCE LEARNING.  It's not homeschooling and it's not classroom schooling.  You're trying to implement lessons and plans from school at home and that's CHALLENGING.  The truth is, we're all trying our best.   Teachers are trying to create plans and supports that make at home learning easier.  They're trying to come up with anyway they can to support their students.  Parents are trying their best to implement these plans, potentially while working from home.  And kids? They're trying to keep up and adjust.

This is a stressful time.  My biggest tip is to breath, give yourself and your children grace, and to GET ORGANIZED.  A small bit of preparation the night before will help your day flow smoothly and will help all of you (parents included) to feel successful.  The thing about a routine is….it doesn't changed.  So after a week or so, this will be easier.  I promise.

 

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You may want a specific schedule (if so, this at home learning schedule is a good option) or you may want something more fluid like a task list or general agenda.  Either way? This daily routine chart is a great support.

My Learning Day: Daily Routine Chart Printable

< click here to print your own copy of this version >

< click to print your own copy of THIS version >

Wondering how to use this or how to implement it?  My tip? Print this the night before.  You may get lessons from your child's teacher the night before, you may get them first thing in the morning.  Either way, there are some things you can anticipate.  Your child will have some reading or phonics, some writing, some math, potentially a class meeting or zoom call, and some science / social studies.  They may have art or pe ideas.  If not, I'd suggest adding in some enrichment options (you can see some great options in our library of online resources or some movement classes in our post about kids workout options).  You can fill in the tasks that you KNOW your child will receive (for example reading a book or math workbook pages or the class zoom call) and add in other things as they are assigned.  Also an option? At home chores.  Art projects.  Fun online classes.  Board Games.  Science Experiments.  Kids Yoga.  Whatever you want.  The idea here is that you are using a daily routine chart to have some structure.

Each morning? You're going to sit down with your child (and if you have multiple children you're creating a SEPARATE daily routine chart for each of them) to fill in their three choice privileges for the day (one for each box).  Ideas? TV Shows.  Computer games.  Lego building.  Special time with YOU.  Baking.  Facetime dates with friends.  Whatever they LIKE that you feel comfortable with.  We're not talking about bribes or toys.  We're talking about a motivating factor.  We're talking about showing our kids that we work to earn things we want or enjoy.  You're setting simple, achievable goals.  Goals that they can easily attain with support.  Of note: breaks aren't a privilege.  We all get breaks and time to snack and move.  That's a part of any healthy work environment and you…..are now a work environment.  Privileges are extras.  Things they'd like, not things they require.  Depending on age? I'd suggest breaks fairly often (this article is a great one on WHY students need short breaks and how often by age).  Short ones (Go Noodle is a great option, these are 3-4 minute dance breaks).

Then as soon as you get the class tasks for the day? Fill in the rows.  If you are working from home and need you child to function independently or with less support, I'm going to suggest you use our homeschool organization system with colored bins and then write the tasks in MATCHING colors on the daily routine chart.  They'll know (even the kindergartners) that the RED task materials are in the RED bin. They should be returned there, before they check off and move on to the next task.

After a couple days, your child will be able to move through the checklist, asking for help as they need it.  They'll need help with directions and support at times.  But, you'll all have more of a sense of the day as a whole.  You'll start to hear less random requests for TV shows.  Why? They know what they need to do to EARN their show.  It's on the paper.  And the more you stick to that? The easier it will be.

My final tip? MAKE A BIG OLD DEAL about a finished day.  Throw a party when they complete their whole daily routine chart.  You're setting the tone.  This is a GREAT accomplishment.  You're proud (and secretly relieved that it worked, right?!?).

Hang in there.   This will get easier.  Teachers always joke that the sign of a well run classroom is that the kids can run through routines on their own.  Eventually? You'll be peacefully sipping that cup of coffee as they start the day.  You'll get there.  It just takes time, patience, and confidence that…..your kids can do this and so can you (final note, if the work is TOO hard……please email their teacher and ask for some adjustments).