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"Teachers can adapt. We can figure out a way to teach them their subject areas via the computer," says Dr. Julia Wilkins, "but that's not what we signed up for."
A second-grade teacher at the Forsyth School, Wilkins is navigating her job's new challenges. While doing so, she's become support for both her students' families and friends with children. Her best piece of advice: You can still teach your children lessons during this time at home.
"A lot of families are realizing that it's not enough to just put a child in front of a worksheet or a video and that be the end of it," she says. "I talked to one friend who is not able to log on and get her work done until after she's put the kids to bed. She's really not getting a ton of sleep. Families who are considered essential workers, they're still having to go to work and there's no childcare being offered."
Wilkins, who finished her doctorate in curriculum design and alternative ways of learning, has been in conversation with parents of her 35 students and friends who fear that their child will fall behind on math or reading because they're not physically in the classroom.
"I try to reassure them those things will come once we're all back in the classroom. As an educator, I can help catch the child up on that," she says. "This is really an opportunity to work on some of those things like teaching math in an authentic way. Allow your child to help you work at home, work on measurements, use real-world things to teach."
Another opportunity for learning in real-time, she says, is to take your child on a walk and discuss the trees, the neighborhood's history, or other lessons in nature. Feeling creative? As you walk, have children photograph what they see in the neighborhood and later create a photography exhibition. Parents can give children a theme or let kids' creativity guide what they photograph—whether it's using an iPhone or a camera.
For families who are not comfortable going on lengthy walks, young children can create nature art right in the backyard, cutting and creating pictures with whatever they find. If you're stuck indoors, many local institutions and nonprofits are streaming lessons and virtual visits. The St. Louis Aquarium is livestreaming their animals' breakfasts each morning on their social channels. "Those are authentic and real learning experiences for older kids," she says. Wilkins points to local dance organization COCA for arts-focused lessons. This Friday, the organization will livestream its virtual COCAchella, with performances from the likes of Tonina and The Knuckles, at 7 p.m. for free. Sites like Reading A to Z and Epic Book are offering free memberships to family and children during this time.
"I've had a few teary eye phones of parents saying, 'I just don't know if I can do this,'" Wilkins says. "I think people are questioning their ability as parents and caregivers right now."
She's sent emails to friends and parents of her students, jumped on the phone to provide educational resources, and has posted ideas for entertaining kids on the University City's section on the Nextdoor app. There, she gave other users an idea she saw in another city where neighbors placed bears in their windows for children to find as they explored the neighborhood on a "bear hunt"—a nod to the We're Going on a Bear Hunt children's book. It's an opportunity for parents to be engaged: phones away and in conversation with their kids.
"Even something as simple as creating a daily schedule teaches kids time management, which is an important life skill for kids to have," she says. "Be realistic that there might be an hour they're expected to sit quietly because you have to get your work done. Involve your child in that conversation."
