Adventures in Distance Learning

With students more or less settled into their respective distance learning programs, I think the one thing all parents can unanimously agree on is that it sucks so hard. Let me start by saying my hat is off to any parents who have multiple children of different ages, I can't (read: won't) imagine what kind of unique hell you all are enduring in trying to navigate multiple log-ins and log-outs, assignments and various other necessary evils of distance learning. I am equal parts impressed and sorry that you even have to do this. 

Distance learning over here has, for the most part, been pretty low key. The kids were initially set up in separate classrooms, but we got them together in the same room now which has made my life somewhat easier. The one thing that never ceases to fascinate me is that, despite being twins, the girls could not be more different if they tried. I have two completely different students, and while I always strive to avoid boxing my children into "types" of any kinds, I can't help but feel like understanding how they learn and what they're respective types are will only make it easier for me to help them learn. 

Margot is the prototype for the round peg, of which public education was designed for. She shows up eager to learn every day. She participates in the songs and activities. She's almost always the first to give the answer. Miss Mo is the sort to be clandestine to become teachers pet, but I mean this in the best way possible! Getting through school will be relatively easy for her, at the very least in an academic sense. 

Josephine, if I'm being perfectly honest, is a bit of a square peg. Distance learning has been a constant battle with Jo. She's bored. It's her favorite thing to say, roughly every five to ten minutes. I'm sure there are many other kids out there struggling to stay engaged with their distance learning curriculum, but this girl takes it to another level. I kept thinking, before school even began, it will be a huge victory when I discover what it is that motivates Jo. Well today was that day. For the last two weeks, every time Jo refused to participate in class or vocalized her feelings towards distance learning, I've given her more of less the same speech: 

"I already know how smart you are! But you have to show your teacher how good you are at reading/math/whatever, or else she might think you don't know these things. Then you really will be bored!" 

Not entirely motivating for a six year old... So today when she wasn't participating during her reading class time, like every other day, I went over to her and made a bold attempt at connecting her to the material. The flashcard says SEE. I see butts. The next one says MY. Where is my butt?! By then, Jo was willingly reading flashcards and putting the words in appropriate context while using the word butt, such as go live in that butt. Because butts are hilarious to Jo. Yet while my introduction of the use of butts in her vocabulary lesson made it more fun, what I really think Jo (and I'm sure other kids as well) is missing from learning is the social aspect. 

In case you aren't already aware, there are seven different ways in which a person can learn. Unfortunately, public education does not/cannot cater to all of these needs all the time. They tend to pick a couple of the most common learning styles and focus on those. One of the most critical learning styles that public schools do provide for is the social and interpersonal types. For obvious reasons, this isn't a possibility with the way things are currently set up. I'm incredibly fortunate to be home with my girls while they go through distance learning, and incredibly fortunate to be aware of these things ahead of the game. Understanding what my daughters' unique needs are in regard to their education is so hugely important to me, and after today I can't help but feel like I've come a little bit closer to understanding what those needs look like. Margot can work very well independently, and is easily motivated by songs, repetition and lectures. Josephine needs more social and interpersonal interaction, time to talk and connect ideas, and a way to incorporate her vast imagination to find new ways of looking at the same old thing. Maybe things will change and I'll realize I'm wrong, but I know I won't go down without a fight! 

In the mean time, may the odds be ever in your favor, my fellow distance-learning parents.