5 Tips to Stay Organized with Distance Learning
Dear parents,
I know you didn’t sign up to be a teacher. Had you wanted to pursue that career, you would have done so before being locked up in your home with your kids 24/7. But here we are approaching the start of the school year and more likely than not, your children are going to be engaging in some kind of distance learning format due to COVID-19. As a former educator turned business owner and professional organizer (and mom of two little girls) I know what you’re juggling right now and I know it is not easy.
Here are 5 tips to keep your family organized with distance learning and for you to hold on to just a smidge of sanity.
TIP #1: Have an easily accessible home for everything and label it!
This includes curriculum materials, tech items and supplies! And to the extent that you can, store those items where you use them.
Don’t skip on the labeling step, we promise it’s the different between your system holding up and fizzling out fast. This is our favorite budget label maker, and if you want to splurge we recommend this one.
Short on space? We recommend using a mobile 3-tier rolling cart which can be stored and used anywhere in your home. Get all the product details here.
TIP #2: Create a short and long term simple filing system for papers.
Short Term: Use a small table top file box like this one or a stacking letter tray like this one. Create categories that make sense for YOUR family. Maybe that is “Reviewed/Graded, In Progress, To File” or maybe it makes sense to break it up by subject, or maybe you need both.
Your short term papers should be things being worked on or referenced right now.
Long Term: We love creating memory boxes to store special projects, artwork or assignments that you want to keep long term sorted by grade. Click here or on the picture below to get details on the products we use to make them.
Your long term papers are things no longer being worked on, but you want to keep them due to sentimental nature.
TIP #3: If your child is old enough, involve them in the process of setting up their work space, talking through a schedule and creating the systems.
Building investment from all members of your family when you’re implementing any kind of organizational system is going to ensure the greatest change of success.
Your child may have input that you wouldn’t have considered, so don’t be afraid to ask them for it.
TIP 4: Build in margin when planning your schedule and your child’s.
I think we can all safely assume things will take 3x longer while we navigate the distance learning/working from home model that has been sprung upon so many of us.
When you build in margin you’re building in breathing room and when there are hiccups (which there will be!) they induce the same level of stress on everyone.
TIP #5: Get crystal clear on your communication and expectations with your partner and children.
Are all adults working from home? Designate who is “available” for the kids at any given hour and who has “sacred work time” in order to preserve any quality work time and some sanity.
Set clear expectations for your children. What should they do when they finish an assignment? When they get stuck working on something, what should they do? Where should they put items when they’re finished using them?
Clear expectations and communication are critically important to ensuring that everyone in your family feels success and support.
I know you didn’t ask for this and there is little you can do to control this situation. So make the very best of this time home with your children! Regularly evaluate what is and is not working. Look for some other teachable moments you can take advantage of with your kids that you would not have been able to do while they were in school. And most importantly, give yourself grace! You’re doing the very best you can for your kids and that is enough.
Happy Organizing,
Tasha
My posts may contain affiliate links through Amazon Services LLC Associates Program or Like to Know It! These programs are designed to provide a means for us to earn small fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You won’t pay a penny more than retail price, but we may earn a small commission which helps keep the lights on!
Thank you for your support!