Our Unique 2020-21 Back-to-School Guide; Online Camps This Week

COVID-19 has affected the 2020-21 academic year around the world as millions head back to school.

At this writing, 20 of the 25 largest school districts in the United States have chosen remote learning only as their back-to-school instructional model, which will affect over 4.3 million students. Others are offering partial in-class learning, with the rest of the completed online. Others still have chosen to have students return to full-time classes with COVID-related restrictions like mask-wearing and social distancing. Regardless, the challenges of this new reality are daunting and put pressure on parents in a way unlike ever before.

This week, we offer tips and advice from experts on managing many of these challenges in a unique school year.

May Allah bless our youth with strength and success as they head back to classes.

Managing Screen Time in an Online School Year
Parents, doctors, and child development experts worry that kids are spending too much time online already, leading to all kinds of short- and long-term problems. With an online school year, the problem is magnified. Parents and educators offer advice on managing more screen time.

Crafting your New Homeschool Schedule
New homeschoolers are approaching the beginning of this “school” year filled with anxiety. With conviction, they have made the decision to take the responsibility for their child’s day-to-day learning. However, they are not always sure how to go about accomplishing it. Here are some tips to make the process easier and the outcome match the needs of your family.

Developing an Online Schooling Schedule this Year: An 8-Step Guide
With many students going back to school remotely or partially online, parents are struggling to manage this new scenario. The key is to develop a routine and daily schedule. Here are some ideas on how to do that.

The Importance of Social and Emotional Learning
Social and Emotional Learning is defined as the process of acquiring the knowledge and skills to engage, interact, and build relationships with other people. This is especially important to develop at a time when students will be spending more time online. Students who are competent in these areas do better in school and are generally better prepared for college and careers. As Muslims, we understand that these skills are also the building blocks of strong families and communities.

5 Ways Every Parent can Help Children Improve Social Skills

With limited social interaction this year due to the pandemic, children will struggle with social skills. But parents can help by coaching, modeling, role playing, shaping the environment, and talking. By being mindful of your own interactions with your child(ren) you can help them learn to navigate social situations and improve interpersonal skills.

Recognizing the Importance of Play

Especially for young children, play is a primary vehicle for learning. It creates opportunities for self-discovery, nurtures social connections, provides space to explore new ideas, helps to develop imagination, and solidifies speaking and listening skills. In play, children are able to self-direct and do so generally in accordance with developmental readiness. There are generally five essential components.