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A Grandparent s Guide to Helping Students Succeed With Virtual Education

How to assist your grandchildren with remote learning during the pandemic

Getty Images As the new school year gets underway during the many parents and grandparents have taken on the roles of teacher, tutor and tech support. Thousands of K-through-12 schools have opted for virtual learning amid the threat of a coronavirus outbreak, or have created hybrid models combining part-time, in-person instruction and virtual options. With students learning at home and many parents also working from home, in the education process. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. In addition, more than 2.7 million children live in homes without their parents, where grandparents or other relatives are caring for them, and they're turning to grandparents for help. But most grandparents don't have a background in education and may need support on how to assist their grandchildren with everything from classrooms to math homework. DeLise Bernard's mother and her grandchildren making arts and crafts. Courtesy of Delise Bernard "While the reality of supporting children during remote learning can be daunting, grandparents should remember that it is also an opportunity to share their skills, hobbies and time with those they love in new and creative ways, creating lasting memories, says DeLise Bernard, an education expert and consultant. When public schools began transitioning to distance learning models in March, Bernard launched a Facebook group called to help answer families’ questions about being thrust into the role of teacher. Bernard homeschooled three children for almost a decade and wanted to pass along her tips and tricks. Within two days, the group attracted more than 2,000 members, and now it has over 7,500. The pivot to remote learning pushed people like St. Augustine, Florida, residents Susan Hatcher, 62, and her husband, Skip Hatcher, 71, into new roles: grandparents doubling as an educational support team for their two grandsons, in sixth grade and first grade. . “Last year, students were able to be more independent and flexible with the academic demands,” Susan says. “Now, the boys are expected to be online during the full school day.” Susan Hatcher and her husband photographed with their grandchildren. Courtesy of Susan Hatcher Grandparents may struggle to support students with technology — such as helping them log in to different educational platforms and apps and making sure they . Grandparents don't need to be tech wizards or know how to write the perfect essay, but they can aid students in finding free online resources to assist them. With school districts across the country following different plans and with uncertainties still ahead, there are bound to be some struggles. Juggling multiple students’ class loads, communicating with teachers and helping a student work through unfamiliar subject areas can be a challenge. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > "My advice for grandparents is to remember that this is only temporary,” Susan says. “We are happy that we are retired and have the time and energy to devote to keeping our grandsons safe and healthy during the pandemic.” Below, the Hatchers and Bernard share their suggestions for helping grandchildren to have a successful remote educational experience. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe will help accommodate multiple people working on the same internet service at the same time. For families without robust internet connections, some schools and cities are providing free internet services to students. Check with your student's school to see if it will provide a Wi-Fi hot spot or whether your city offers in your neighborhood. In addition, some internet companies offer low-cost plans for students, seniors and low-income families.An email account: Some school districts create an email account for each student. Make sure you and your student know if such an account exists and how to access it. If not, consider setting up a designated email address for school-related communications.Headphones with a built-in microphone: These don't have to be fancy. Pairs with microphones start at around $15. Depending on the student's age, consider a pair made especially for kids (which have smaller frames and limit the maximum volume for hearing protection). These will help during live class sessions on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype or any other videoconferencing equivalent.Blue-light glasses: Bernard recommends blue-light glasses to limit overexposure to blue light, which is emitted from screens and can at nighttime. Blue-light filters can be incorporated into an existing prescription, but nonprescription computer glasses are an inexpensive option. Consider free programs , a blue-light filtering software for your computer. (Note: If the student is working on a school-issued computer, downloading software might be prohibited.)

Learning resources

Not every grandparent or parent was expecting to be on call for schoolwork help. Here are some programs and additional resources for when you need to fact-check schoolwork. is a free Google Chrome browser extension that spell-checks and proofreads for grammatical errors. is a free tutorial platform, known for its short math videos that explain concepts in various subjects. Khan Academy now also features tutorials and courses on subjects including science, reading and vocabulary, history and social studies.Online resources and allow you to submit a math problem and get the solution or explanations on how to solve the problem.My Math Flash Cards is an app that helps with math facts.Tutoring websites can help. Bernard recommends for younger grades and .Your local library offers free access to books, magazines and newspaper subscriptions. Many libraries provide members with robust online options, including digital books and magazines.Explore the resources offered by your student's school and district. Many have a homework helpline and offer free peer tutoring, or access to digital tools and platforms.Ask for the teacher's manual. Bernard suggests communicating with a teacher and asking for a copy of or digital access to the teacher's manual of the student's textbook. Note: Teachers may decline this request to prevent cheating. More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS