Parents nationwide are understandably overwhelmed with new responsibilities as teachers and caretakers while also holding their full-time jobs. Kindergarten teacher Mary Brant shares her perspective on realistic at-home learning, creative ways to keep your kids engaged and says that, yes, you can even include screen time in your child’s activities.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hi. This is Malayan Vervier and this is Kim Azarelli.
We are co authors of the book Fast Forward, How
Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose. And you're listening to
(00:26):
Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose, brought to you
by the Seneca Women Podcast Network and I Heart Radio.
Welcome to this special edition. During these difficult times, we're
talking to experts who can help us gain perspective on
the impact of the coronavirus, as well as your tips,
resources and some much needed inspiration. Today, I'm joined by
(00:47):
Mary Brandt. Mary is a kindergarten teacher at Rising Star
Elementary School in the Seattle Public Schools, one of the
communities to be hit the hardest and earliest. Welcome to
the show. Thank you, I'm happy to be here. Thanks
for having me. So, Mary, tell us a little bit
about what you do. So, Um, I'm a kindergarten teacher
right and Star and Seattle, as you mentioned, and I'm
(01:07):
a general education teacher, so I'm responsible for a class
of fifteen, five and six year olds And um, you know,
we've been having such a shift in how we've had
to teach and think about school over the last few weeks.
But I'm just amazed by my students and families and
our school community for really coming together. So it's been
(01:28):
difficult but also inspiring. A lot of parents, um, of course,
for good reason, are worried about academic interruption. Our educators
also afraid that this might set back their students and
any concerns about losing common core skills. Yeah, obviously this
is such a challenging time for our students and our families,
and it's it is really so important for kids to
(01:48):
continue practicing and learning at home. So as an educator,
I'm definitely concerned and though it's not ideal, but at
the same time, I'm also confident that we've done a
great job of collaborating with families and communities in order
to make sure kids get the content they need to
stay on truck. We're hearing parents are very uh maybe
(02:11):
anxious and trying to keep up with very ambitious schedules
that their children used to have, but you know, very
hard to do. Um, what are the expectations for parents
right now? And should parents be trying to fill the
shoes of teachers. That's such a great question. I feel like,
you know, parents have such already incredibly challenging jobs and
replacing a school environment at home while you're also trying
(02:33):
to juggle so many responsibilities and work is a huge
task and a huge ask, um And I know, we
know that there's so much comfort and security in children
seeing their teachers and having routine of lessons that they're
familiar with. So what we're really just asking families to
focus on is what's the most important and what's within
(02:53):
reason at this time for their families. And this is
going to look different for every family, um And we
certainly want to support an academic progress, but also first
and foremost the social and emotional needs of students. So
if parents are able to just support students with making
a schedule and getting them reading and writing and conversing
as much as possible, but we also understand that families
(03:17):
won't be able to step into the shoes of teachers,
and our responsibility as educators is still to engage and
communicate with families to get them the resources they need
to be able to keep their kids engaged in on track. Yeah,
I mean it's incredibly stressful time. You know a lot
of parents are full time working at the same time,
is trying to manage this new environment for their children. Um,
(03:39):
of course screen time. UM, it's becoming more prominent in
some ways. Is it? Is it okay really for children
to be um engaged in screen time? And how much
time would you recommend for parents? Another great question and
one I'm sure so many families are thin seen about
right now. I think the most important thing is just
giving yourself grace as parents and family ways, and knowing
(04:01):
that every family and situation will be different and your
routines will of course have changed dramatically. And I can't
really put a specific number on how much screen time
I would recommend or is okay, But I do know
that keeping kids engaged even when screen time is happening
is a great way to go about it. So if
your child is watching a movie or a TV show,
(04:21):
asking them to write or draw about their favorite part afterwards,
or retell what they just saw in their own words,
practicing those cognitive skills along with the screen time. And
then I would also say building it into a schedule
for families so children know when to expect that they
will get screen time and what's coming after it, and
how they can engage with that time as well. So
(04:43):
I would say definitely for families to give themselves grace
and um be flexible with the changing schedule, and also
know that it's okay to balance screen time with other activities. Again,
it's such a stressful time for parents and to come
up with great ideas. I'm sure everyone's feeling they want
to do great things for their kids, but I think
parents are quite overwhelmed right now. Are there other activities
(05:04):
that you have seen be effective in this moment? Absolutely.
One of the things, especially with little kindergarteners, that's been
so fun to see is we know kids can't sit
and have a lesson just like they would in class
at home, even if teachers are getting online content. The
one thing that's been so fun to see is UM
having students write letters to their teachers, to grandma or
(05:26):
grandpa or aunt, nunks or uncle, someone in their family.
So getting that practice of writing letters, drawing pictures and
actually nailing it. UM seeing students have engineering challenges at home,
building things out of recycling, or UM practicing counting how
many pastas there are in the jar, UM taking little
(05:46):
nature walks, getting a chance to get outside the way
from other people and collect rocks or leaves and compare
and support them. And for older students, you know, cooking UM,
having a family interview, interviewing a parent and asking them
about their family history, and writing a little report. Basically
finding something students are excited about doing and going with that,
(06:07):
because we know when students are excited and motivated, they're
going to be successful learners, even if it's a little
bit non traditional at those times. I love all of
those ideas. They all sound great. We'll be back after
this break. Obviously very very difficult time. Is there a
(06:32):
way you're recommending parents speak to their children about what's
going on. Yeah, that's something we've been thinking about a
lot again, especially with the little five and six year old. UM.
We're recommending that families really do just be honest with
their kids and ask them how they're feeling, and also
share some of their um own and needs, you know,
acknowledging this is a difficult time. It's different. But that's
(06:54):
I think where the seeing their teachers these come in
and it's so important even I it's just a brief
recorded morning meeting, more message to have that sense of
regularity and familiarity even in such a stressful time. But
I definitely think acknowledging for kids this is different and
scary for us too. But creating a new normal within
this of the schedule of the day at home, which
(07:16):
might include more screen time and might include different different things,
but knowing what to expect for children, I think it's
going to be really important. So obviously this is a
hard time, as you just mentioned for everybody. Uh, scary
and and and difficult. Um, But what makes you optimistic
in this moment? Yeah, I think that's a great question.
And when I've been trying to think about every day
as well, I think, UM, in the letters and photos
(07:39):
and text messages I get from my family, is showing
the pictures of their kids, UM watching my lessons or
UM face timing with a relative or reading a book
for fun on their own, I'm really inspired and remember
how much our students can do and how capable they are,
and how children at this difficult time are more than
(08:00):
for a good example of our future and what we
can look forward to. And seeing students be creative in
how they're approaching their time at home as well has
been really inspiring. And then also watching um Wool communities
come together and working with my colleagues to get content
out to students and UM the greater community as well.
(08:20):
Coming together to be there for each other has been
very positive and inspiring. Is there anything that our listeners
can do to support you? Um? Yeah, I think if
you have questions, absolutely reach out to your child's teachers,
because I can speak as an educator right now, it's
so wonderful to share from families with any questions or
concerned because all we want right now is to make
(08:41):
sure that we're we're there for you and able to
UM be there and know that we're also unsure and
going through this together. So we're all doing our very
best to be there for our students. UM. But yeah,
just most importantly giving yourself that grace and being flexible
and knowing that UM, whatever schedule changes occur nowive, they're
(09:02):
really resilient and talking with them will be so important
during this ten Well, Mary, it's wonderful to talk with you.
Seattle is very lucky to have you there, UM, and
we really appreciate you joining us. Thanks so m pleasure.
You're listening to Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose,
(09:23):
brought to you by the Seneca Women Podcast Network and
I Heart Radio with support from founding partner p ANDNG.
Listen to Seneca Women Conversations on power and purpose on
the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
get your podcasts, and please support this podcast by telling
your friends, subscribing, and rating us. For more information on
(09:44):
Seneca Women, follow us on social media, Visit our website
Seneca Women dot com, and check out the Seneca Women
app free in the app Store. Have a great day, oh,
Hi. This is Malayan Vervier and this is Kim Azarelli.
We are co authors of the book Fast Forward, How
Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose. And you're listening to
(00:26):
Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose, brought to you
by the Seneca Women Podcast Network and I Heart Radio.
Welcome to this special edition. During these difficult times, we're
talking to experts who can help us gain perspective on
the impact of the coronavirus, as well as your tips,
resources and some much needed inspiration. Today, I'm joined by
(00:47):
Mary Brandt. Mary is a kindergarten teacher at Rising Star
Elementary School in the Seattle Public Schools, one of the
communities to be hit the hardest and earliest. Welcome to
the show. Thank you, I'm happy to be here. Thanks
for having me. So, Mary, tell us a little bit
about what you do. So, Um, I'm a kindergarten teacher
right and Star and Seattle, as you mentioned, and I'm
(01:07):
a general education teacher, so I'm responsible for a class
of fifteen, five and six year olds And um, you know,
we've been having such a shift in how we've had
to teach and think about school over the last few weeks.
But I'm just amazed by my students and families and
our school community for really coming together. So it's been
(01:28):
difficult but also inspiring. A lot of parents, um, of course,
for good reason, are worried about academic interruption. Our educators
also afraid that this might set back their students and
any concerns about losing common core skills. Yeah, obviously this
is such a challenging time for our students and our families,
and it's it is really so important for kids to
(01:48):
continue practicing and learning at home. So as an educator,
I'm definitely concerned and though it's not ideal, but at
the same time, I'm also confident that we've done a
great job of collaborating with families and communities in order
to make sure kids get the content they need to
stay on truck. We're hearing parents are very uh maybe
(02:11):
anxious and trying to keep up with very ambitious schedules
that their children used to have, but you know, very
hard to do. Um, what are the expectations for parents
right now? And should parents be trying to fill the
shoes of teachers. That's such a great question. I feel like,
you know, parents have such already incredibly challenging jobs and
replacing a school environment at home while you're also trying
(02:33):
to juggle so many responsibilities and work is a huge
task and a huge ask, um And I know, we
know that there's so much comfort and security in children
seeing their teachers and having routine of lessons that they're
familiar with. So what we're really just asking families to
focus on is what's the most important and what's within
(02:53):
reason at this time for their families. And this is
going to look different for every family, um And we
certainly want to support an academic progress, but also first
and foremost the social and emotional needs of students. So
if parents are able to just support students with making
a schedule and getting them reading and writing and conversing
as much as possible, but we also understand that families
(03:17):
won't be able to step into the shoes of teachers,
and our responsibility as educators is still to engage and
communicate with families to get them the resources they need
to be able to keep their kids engaged in on track. Yeah,
I mean it's incredibly stressful time. You know a lot
of parents are full time working at the same time,
is trying to manage this new environment for their children. Um,
(03:39):
of course screen time. UM, it's becoming more prominent in
some ways. Is it? Is it okay really for children
to be um engaged in screen time? And how much
time would you recommend for parents? Another great question and
one I'm sure so many families are thin seen about
right now. I think the most important thing is just
giving yourself grace as parents and family ways, and knowing
(04:01):
that every family and situation will be different and your
routines will of course have changed dramatically. And I can't
really put a specific number on how much screen time
I would recommend or is okay, But I do know
that keeping kids engaged even when screen time is happening
is a great way to go about it. So if
your child is watching a movie or a TV show,
(04:21):
asking them to write or draw about their favorite part afterwards,
or retell what they just saw in their own words,
practicing those cognitive skills along with the screen time. And
then I would also say building it into a schedule
for families so children know when to expect that they
will get screen time and what's coming after it, and
how they can engage with that time as well. So
(04:43):
I would say definitely for families to give themselves grace
and um be flexible with the changing schedule, and also
know that it's okay to balance screen time with other activities. Again,
it's such a stressful time for parents and to come
up with great ideas. I'm sure everyone's feeling they want
to do great things for their kids, but I think
parents are quite overwhelmed right now. Are there other activities
(05:04):
that you have seen be effective in this moment? Absolutely.
One of the things, especially with little kindergarteners, that's been
so fun to see is we know kids can't sit
and have a lesson just like they would in class
at home, even if teachers are getting online content. The
one thing that's been so fun to see is UM
having students write letters to their teachers, to grandma or
(05:26):
grandpa or aunt, nunks or uncle, someone in their family.
So getting that practice of writing letters, drawing pictures and
actually nailing it. UM seeing students have engineering challenges at home,
building things out of recycling, or UM practicing counting how
many pastas there are in the jar, UM taking little
(05:46):
nature walks, getting a chance to get outside the way
from other people and collect rocks or leaves and compare
and support them. And for older students, you know, cooking UM,
having a family interview, interviewing a parent and asking them
about their family history, and writing a little report. Basically
finding something students are excited about doing and going with that,
(06:07):
because we know when students are excited and motivated, they're
going to be successful learners, even if it's a little
bit non traditional at those times. I love all of
those ideas. They all sound great. We'll be back after
this break. Obviously very very difficult time. Is there a
(06:32):
way you're recommending parents speak to their children about what's
going on. Yeah, that's something we've been thinking about a
lot again, especially with the little five and six year old. UM.
We're recommending that families really do just be honest with
their kids and ask them how they're feeling, and also
share some of their um own and needs, you know,
acknowledging this is a difficult time. It's different. But that's
(06:54):
I think where the seeing their teachers these come in
and it's so important even I it's just a brief
recorded morning meeting, more message to have that sense of
regularity and familiarity even in such a stressful time. But
I definitely think acknowledging for kids this is different and
scary for us too. But creating a new normal within
this of the schedule of the day at home, which
(07:16):
might include more screen time and might include different different things,
but knowing what to expect for children, I think it's
going to be really important. So obviously this is a
hard time, as you just mentioned for everybody. Uh, scary
and and and difficult. Um, But what makes you optimistic
in this moment? Yeah, I think that's a great question.
And when I've been trying to think about every day
as well, I think, UM, in the letters and photos
(07:39):
and text messages I get from my family, is showing
the pictures of their kids, UM watching my lessons or
UM face timing with a relative or reading a book
for fun on their own, I'm really inspired and remember
how much our students can do and how capable they are,
and how children at this difficult time are more than
(08:00):
for a good example of our future and what we
can look forward to. And seeing students be creative in
how they're approaching their time at home as well has
been really inspiring. And then also watching um Wool communities
come together and working with my colleagues to get content
out to students and UM the greater community as well.
(08:20):
Coming together to be there for each other has been
very positive and inspiring. Is there anything that our listeners
can do to support you? Um? Yeah, I think if
you have questions, absolutely reach out to your child's teachers,
because I can speak as an educator right now, it's
so wonderful to share from families with any questions or
concerned because all we want right now is to make
(08:41):
sure that we're we're there for you and able to
UM be there and know that we're also unsure and
going through this together. So we're all doing our very
best to be there for our students. UM. But yeah,
just most importantly giving yourself that grace and being flexible
and knowing that UM, whatever schedule changes occur nowive, they're
(09:02):
really resilient and talking with them will be so important
during this ten Well, Mary, it's wonderful to talk with you.
Seattle is very lucky to have you there, UM, and
we really appreciate you joining us. Thanks so m pleasure.
You're listening to Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose,
(09:23):
brought to you by the Seneca Women Podcast Network and
I Heart Radio with support from founding partner p ANDNG.
Listen to Seneca Women Conversations on power and purpose on
the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
get your podcasts, and please support this podcast by telling
your friends, subscribing, and rating us. For more information on
(09:44):
Seneca Women, follow us on social media, Visit our website
Seneca Women dot com, and check out the Seneca Women
app free in the app Store. Have a great day, oh,
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