One of the best ways that we can help our students be successful with distance learning is by looking for ways to support their parents and guardians. There are many online educational resources available, but today we’re going to share something a little different that might help you help parents.

In response to school closings across the U.S. and internationally, our partner Steve Barkley has recently launched a new podcast series called Parent Well-Being and Student Learning During School Closures.

For over thirty years, Steve Barkley has served as an educational consultant to school districts, teacher organizations, state departments of education, and colleges and universities nationally and internationally, facilitating the changes necessary for them to reach students and successfully prepare them for the 21st century. A prolific published author, his weekly blog and podcast, Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud, has evolved into a go-to resource for teachers and administrators all over the world.

In part one, you’ll learn how this new podcast series can help support parents that have stepped into a larger guiding learning role. Gain insight on how a shift in the environment can help children learn best, and hear how using ‘think-alouds’ at home can help find concessions between the work parents are doing and the work children are doing. In part two of the series, you’ll discover how simply shifting our words and perspective from ‘schoolwork’ to ‘learning tasks’ you can help your children be motivated and successful.

Please share Steve’s free podcast!

The hope is that these free podcasts can be forwarded on to parents by you, your school, and districts. What a great way to engage and support parents and in their new role with their children during this time.