Importance of Structure for Both Parents and Children

“Some kids may have structured schedules for online classes. But for others, you can let them have a say in how, when and where they want to do their work. This is a great chance to build their metacognition — where they can become more aware of how their own learning and thinking process works”  (Terri Peters, Today article).

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Allowing children to have some input and voice when creating their daily schedules can make them more motivated to stick to these schedules. This can also help children develop time management skills and recognize their own interests when it comes to their learning. It is important for children and parents to continuously revisit these daily schedules to ensure it is still benefitting the child. This can be done once or twice a week. Parents need to go into this recognizing that with the current circumstance of COVID-19, there may be a trial-and-error period in order for children to find a schedule that works best for them. In this sense, patience is essential and punishments for not being able to follow a schedule should not be used. In addition, every child’s schedule may look slightly different as children have individualized needs. Parents should avoid criticizing other parents’ schedules for their children. 

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“Even for younger children, structure is incredibly important. It’s really the routines that you’re implementing that are shaping children’s regulatory systems”  (Erin Bogan, srcd.org source).

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Children are typically used to some form of structured schedule at school, so it is important to carry this over into at-home learning. The at-home learning schedule does not and should not look the same as a normal school schedule due to the fact that there are many more distractions and possibly less resources when learning from home. Having children help build their own schedules can help them develop self-awareness and valuable communication skills. 

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Structured schedules are also important for parents. Parents need to have a sense of control in their life, which a schedule can provide. If parents feel overwhelmed and anxious about the current pandemic situation going on then children will pick up on this and start feeling the same. In addition, by parents following their own schedules, children may see this and be more motivated to follow their schedules to be “just like mom or dad.”