August and September are always crazy months for parents with school-aged children. School is starting up again, and typically the kids are stoked to go back and see their friends. For the parents, starting a new school year can get a little hectic, especially for those with elementary aged children. There’s a new teacher to get to know, a giant supply list to go out and shop for, back to school night, and so much more. This year however, parents have a whole new hurdle to overcome when it comes to getting the kids back to school.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented most schools from allowing in-person classes this fall. Parents must now be responsible for being present and ensuring that their child is both attending all necessary virtual meetings and staying focused on completing their assignments. 

Teachers have been working hard to build a curriculum that can be taught online, but as hard as they try to make it comparable to in-person classes, this year will be different for teachers, students, and parents alike. One way that parents can make this transition easier for both themselves and their child is to create a schedule at home. Having your child get up and get dressed for school at a scheduled time and blocking the day into chucks can help everyone stay on track. Furthermore, this will mirror a typical day of school, allowing your child to stay on top of their schoolwork. If you need extra tips on how to enact a home schedule, this article – Maintain Routines at Home During COVID-19, offers great advice. 

One of the most important things to do in order to make distance learning more successful is to create a productive learning space. You may already have a designated space in your house for homework, such as the kitchen table, but it is important to designate an area for school-specific activities. This area should be clean, quiet, and have good internet connection. It is also a good idea to choose a space where you, as the parent, can be nearby and ready to answer any questions that your child may have.

In order to create an efficient learning space, you may have to do some de-cluttering before the start of school. De-cluttering can be difficult, especially if you are having trouble letting go of sentimental objects. If you are not ready to let go of items, but still need to create a learning space in your home, you can always place your possessions in storage. If you are located in Nevada, Arizona, or Southern California, Dollar Self Storage provides safe and clean storage units for your sentimental objects in order to prepare for distance learning!