DARBOY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- Some children may be attending some in-person school this fall, while others may be attending virtually from home. Experts say there are some ways to make the transition to distanced learning at home easier.
Dr. Abby Smolcich, a pediatrician at ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Darboy, says setting up a designated area for learning can be beneficial for children.
She says planning out a schedule can also help with time management so that children are tackling assignments when they need to. She adds that if your child's school typically has two snack times a day, try to plan out those snack time to help children get into a structured routine.
It's important for children to still get in some social interaction even if it virtually, but Dr. Smolcich says planning a socially distant bike ride with friends would be a great way to still interact safely.
Experts say it's also important to watch for signs in your children. This is can be a very difficult time for so many and everyone handles situations differently.
She says parents should watch for their child experiencing sadness, not being interested in the same activities anymore and trouble sleeping. She says these can all be signs of depression or stress and that you should contact your child's pediatrician for more guidance.
Children may also have lots of questions and Dr. Smolcich says that's normal. She says the best practice to calm and ease their minds is to be open and honest and talk with children to help them better understand and work together to get through any challenges that may come up with learning from home.
