3 Ways To Help Your Foster Child Successfully Navigate Distance Learning

If you have children or a foster teenager in your home, chances are you are starting the school year virtually (or will be shifting to distance learning at some point as coronavirus cases fluctuate in the coming days). With the uncertainty and newness of this teaching and learning method, you may be searching for ways to help your child through the process and set them up for an easier transition. Here, we will cover a few ways to help your foster child successfully navigate distance learning at home.

#1. Create a quiet workspace that is free of distractions and fully equipped.

If you have a foster child or teenager, make sure they have a desk in their bedroom or another quiet nook in the home, as well as a comfortable chair that is suitable for long periods of sitting and studying. Include shelves for organizing textbooks by subject, a cabinet for storing art and school supplies, and a task lamp. A computer will be necessary for attending Zoom classes and completing digital assignments. Reach out to your child’s school to see if a laptop or digital device can be provided on loan, or research local and national organizations that help children in need by donating free computers. Many manufacturers also offer student discounts and deals on used or refurbished electronics.

#2. Be supportive of their education as foster parents.

A recent Foster Focus Magazine article titled Benefits of On-Line Technology for Foster Youth  states that “many foster children come from backgrounds and homes that did not encourage or support school and education.” The article also notes that it is vital for foster parents to offer support when needed, whether that means assisting the child with school work, online researching, or simply staying on task, especially if your foster child struggles academically.

Showing you care about and support their education and success can go a long way to motivate a child and build academic confidence.

#3. Help them to stay on task and on track.

Many foster children thrive on a stable routine. That means sticking to a regular bedtime and wake time, even for your foster teenager. A large part of learning is also staying on task and on track. When creating their workspace, be sure to include an academic planner or dry erase wall calendars for the week and the month. Framed and magnetic varieties are available online, and you can let your child pick the style they like best. It’s also wise to keep your own planner, or digital copy on your phone or computer, to make sure they are keeping up with assignments. Other smart elements to add to their school supply list include paper storage bins, pen/pencil organizers, an electric pencil sharpener, folders and binders, a cork board, lots of sticky notes, and a printer.

Distance learning can be both rewarding and challenging, but the right support from parents can make all the difference. Be sure to celebrate hard work and effort, as well as good grades and special achievements, whether it’s showcasing work on the refrigerator or baking their favorite dessert just because you’re proud of them!

Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency