Near or Far, Grandparents Make a Difference

Over the last year, COVID-19 has resulted in restrictions on everything from travel to gatherings. It’s more important than ever to strengthen the bond grandparents have with their grandchildren.

Nicole Powell, National Board Certified fifth-grade teacher at Las Sendas Elementary, shares tips to help families stay connected.

Try Learning Together

Grandparents can support their grandchildren by learning how to navigate through some of the various learning platforms being used in remote and modified in-person learning. Having a grandparent as a mentor to lean on while students learn can forge stronger relationships and familial bonds.

Grandparents can also boost confidence by providing opportunities for grandchildren to show off their technology skills. These opportunities can often turn into learning lessons for grandparents as they navigate through some of the newer learning platforms.

Use Your Wisdom and Life Experiences

Many children have a hard time focusing and staying on task. Frequent check-ins and using a time-tracking device can often help grandchildren to stay on top of their daily academic responsibilities. Grandparents can also use their life experience to help their grandchildren create and maintain a learning schedule. They can also help their grandchildren develop important life skills such as time management, organization and prioritization.

Opening the Communication Channel

Use open-ended questions for starting conversations. For example, start with, “Tell me” instead of “Did you” to yield a deeper conversation. “Tell me about your completed assignment,” or “Tell me about your day,” is likely to result in a better response, rather than asking, “Did you have a good day?” Generalized questions often lead to one-word answers, while creatively constructed questions result in deeper conversations.

Separated by Miles, Connected by Pen Pals

Though the task of hand-writing letters is becoming a lost art, it is an easy way for grandparents to connect with their grandchildren. Many children have never received a letter specifically addressed to them through the mail. The best part is that treasured letters from grandparents can become keepsakes.

Helpful Resources Available

There are a variety of helpful resources for grandparents, including local Facebook groups, grandmagazine.com, and blogs dedicated to today’s grandparents and grandparenting topics. Mesa Public Schools has a comprehensive list of resources at mpsaz.org/parentresources to help families support children in everything from academics to behavioral concerns.

Remember, the pandemic won’t last forever. Once students return to full in-person learning and COVID-related restrictions are lifted, the best way for grandparents to support their grandchildren is the simple gift of time. Whether it’s in-person or virtual, building and fostering connections is a priceless gift.

For more information, visit mpsaz.org/parentresources.