Let’s dive into round two of Tips for Successful Distance Learning.

We are a few weeks into distance learning. Each day brings new challenges and new resourceful solutions! Last week we held a zoom learning session with Perm and Temp nannies, led by Perm Division Director, Annie Burns.

Below are the top challenges we heard from Nannies as well as recommendations to address them.

1. HOW CAN I KEEP KIDS ENGAGED AND LIMIT DISTRACTIONS 

• 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐇𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠! It is actually distracting. Be in earshot (no headphones for kiddos) to make sure you know what is going on. Respecting their personal space also helps hone independence.⁣
• 𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞: For high-energy kids who have trouble maintaining focus, try putting a jump rope next to their desk. Let them jump and get their wiggles out when they feel they need it.⁣
• 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫!⁣

      2. HOW CAN I HELP THE CHILD BE SUCCESSFUL – I’M NOT A TEACHER

• 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬: Make sure you know each teacher’s zoom rules so that you can help the kids show respect for their teacher and classmates. By helping them respect the rules you help them build their relationships with their teachers. Ask a parent to provide the rules or put you in direct contact with teachers. ⁣
• 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Most important! Keep lines of communication open so that you can work together to find solutions. Supporting a distance learner is not traditional nannying or babysitting – it’s ok to need or want to brainstorm solutions with parents. ⁣

3. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE NANNY’S ROLE?

• 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭(𝐬) 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: A nanny’s role is to help the child get onto the zoom, be nearby during sessions, oversee assignments, help with homework, and meet the other basic needs of the child (meals, cleanups, etc.). You are not in charge of setting the curriculum or implementing the lessons. ⁣

4. HOW DO I MAINTAIN AUTHORITY WHEN PARENTS ARE ALSO AT HOME?

• 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Establish physical boundaries – delineate spaces for you and your charges and make sure you know your responsibilities. 
• 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞: Align with parents on the language you both will use to handle specific situations. How do they want to handle meltdowns? Make sure you feel supported by the parents to provide direction. ⁣

 We will be holding another Zoom Distance Learning session for nannies in a couple of weeks and look forward to sharing more insights!

If you’re looking for more strategies to help distance learners, we recommended checking out our interview with Dr. Ashely Moss from Spring Valley Pediatrics, and well as our first installment of Tips.