By Dinah Torres Castro
So much has happened since school started again in September, 2020. We are adapting to the changes in our lives. While many parents of school-age children are able to cope with in-person learning (in school), remote learning ,or even hybrid learning; there is a group of unique “parents” who have been struggling to keep up, and sometimes giving up, because they simply are not able to take on the role of teacher, tutor, and don’t even mention tech support! I am talking about grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. In the United States, more than 2.7 million children live in homes without their parents where their grandparents or other relatives care for them.
When the pandemic first hit in March of 2020, children were sent home to finish the school year. They turned to their grandparents for help. However, grandparents soon found that they did not have the resources or knowledge to help. Most of the grandparents, especially the elderly, did not have a clue about where to start. They were helpless when asked to assist their grandchildren with things like logging into Zoom classes. Some grandparents were still working and suddenly found themselves juggling their own jobs from home and simultaneously trying to support their grandchildren as they adapted to remote learning. Other grandparents found themselves out of work, desperately trying to find a way to survive this pandemic and provide food and shelter for their families. The end of the school year could not come fast enough!
Now, with the new school year chugging along, there are still many unanswered questions. There is help for grandparents who are struggling to support their grandkids with remote learning. Grandparents should not feel completely helpless just because they are not tech wizards or don’t know how to write perfect essays. Instead, they can begin to feel empowered by helping their grandkids find free online resources to help themselves! Here are a few suggestions to help your grandchildren have a successful remote learning experience:
- Set up a study area that is quiet, neat, comfortable, well lit, and organized. If possible, provide a student-sized desk (or clear off a spot at the kitchen table), make sure they have a comfortable chair, and the necessary school supplies and resources (paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, calculator), and the technology they need (a tablet or iPad, a laptop or desktop computer—see below). Have your child think of his space like it is his office!
- Provide storage options like a bin, a drawer, or space in a cabinet for their binders, books, notebooks, and all of their school supplies. If you have more than one child who needs to learn alongside one another, consider making “cubicles” out of recycled cardboard.
- Consider what technology they need, such as a laptop or tablet. If a student does not have access to a device, check with the school. Many schools provide devices to students who need them. If not, ask for a recommended brand or model.
- What about Wi-Fi? An upgraded router will help accommodate multiple people working on the same internet service at the same time. Your cable company may have free upgrades available. For families without robust internet connections, some schools and cities provide free internet services to students. Check with your student’s school to see if it will provide a Wi-Fi hot spot or whether your city offers public Wi-Fi in your neighborhood. In addition, some internet companies offer low-cost plans for students, seniors, and low-income families.
- An email account: Some school districts create an email account for each student. Make sure you and your student know if such an account exists and how to access it. If not, consider setting up a designated email address for school-related communications.
- Headphones with a built-in microphone: These don’t have to be fancy. Pairs with microphones start at around $15. Depending on the student’s age, consider a pair made especially for kids (which have smaller frames and limit the maximum volume for hearing protection). These will help during live class sessions on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, or any other videoconferencing equivalent.
- Blue-light glasses: Blue-light glasses are often recommended to limit overexposure to blue light which is emitted from screens and can interrupt sleep patterns at nighttime. Blue-light filters can be incorporated into an existing prescription, but non-prescription computer glasses are an inexpensive option. Consider free programs like F.lux, a blue-light filtering software for your computer. (Note: If the student is working on a school-issued computer, downloading software might be prohibited).
Grandparents or parents were not expecting to be on call for schoolwork help. Here are some programs and additional resources which help to fact-check schoolwork:
- Grammarly is a free Google Chrome browser extension that spell-checks and proofreads for grammatical errors.
- Khan Academy is a free tutorial platform, known for its short math videos that explain concepts in various subjects. Khan Academy now also features tutorials and courses on subjects including science, reading and vocabulary, history and social studies.
- Online resources PhotoMath and Symbolab allow you to submit a math problem and get the solution or explanation about how to solve the problem.
- My Math Flash Cards is an app that helps with math facts.
Tutoring websites can also help:
- Try Starfall for younger grades and Wide Open School.
- Your local library offers free access to books, magazines, and newspaper subscriptions. Many libraries provide members with robust online options, including digital books and magazines.
- Explore the resources offered by your student’s school and district. Many have a homework helpline and offer free peer tutoring or access to digital tools and platforms.
Remember to talk with your grandkids to understand how they like to learn. Some students enjoy working from their bed or a couch, while others want structure. Keep checking in with them to see if they need more help or resources. For more information, check out the links below:
Dinah Castro is a Bilingual Family Well-Being Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. She can be reached at 631-727-7850 ext. 351 or at dc258@cornell.edu.