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2020 has thrown us all for quite a loop (to say the least.) While many professionals are adapting to working from home, parents are taking on even MORE roles and responsibilities than ever before. Roles like “teacher.” (As if being a parent isn’t hard enough already!)
According to a new survey for The New York Times, 80% of U.S. parents who are both working remotely will also be handling child care and education. The village that parents relied on to help raise their children just isn’t the same.
While the state of the world continues to change, we must continue to change with it. For parents, that means making the most of these new roles so we can better teach our children and roll with the punches. Because we’re parents and that’s what we do!
Here are our top tips for remote learning:
1. Establish a routine: Children require routine, especially when there are so many unknowns in the world. A daily routine helps reduce a child’s stress and anxiety and will regulate their internal clocks, which helps with their energy, appetite, and ability to sleep well at night. Establish a routine in your household just as you would if you were sending your kids off to school. Go to bed at x, wake up at x, eat breakfast, get dressed, and brush your teeth. Without the commute to school, you may even be able to squeeze in a little playtime or walk around the neighborhood before it’s time to log in to class.
Pro Tip: Schedule 10 minutes of meditation into your family’s morning routine. Meditation benefits are endless but include stress reduction, a positive mood, and an increased attention span. All of which will help immensely in a learning environment.
2. Create a learning environment: Compartmentalizing your home is one of the best things you can do to simplify your life and increase productivity – especially during a time where our homes are also our offices, gyms, classrooms, etc. Now more than ever, we must be disciplined about the purpose each room serves. You wouldn’t cook a meal in the bathroom, so don’t conduct class in bed.
Establish one room or area in your home as the classroom. Set-up desks and a laptop or computer for learning. Ensure your kids are equipped to operate at peak performance with Lennar’s Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Design – the first in the world. With Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Design homeowners will receive a superior Wi-Fi experience – no more dead spots, failed calls, or lagged Zoom meetings. Hang age-appropriate posters, have all supplies organized and accessible and place a clock on the wall. Follow the same basic principles we discussed for setting-up a home office (i.e., choose a brightly lit room, bring in a few houseplants, etc.) When it’s lunchtime, eat in the kitchen. When it’s break time, go outside. Using this room for school and learning only will help strengthen the mental association between being at a desk and learning.
3. Learn together and help along the way: Education in 2020 is a whole new world. We’re all trying to navigate this new way of learning and doing our best to balance all the hats we’re forced to wear. If you’re able, learn alongside your children. The better you understand the material, the easier it is to help your children understand it as well. If your student is stuck on a problem or isn’t comprehending the material, try to explain it in a new way – sing a song, use examples and analogies or use household objects. Make learning fun, be patient, and encourage your kiddos every step of the way.
Pro Tip: Emphasize the “why.” When kids aren’t feeling motivated to learn, or they tend to dread a specific subject, explain why it’s essential for them to learn the information. Provide real-life examples and show them how the information is useful.
4. Utilize resources and tools: Check your school’s website to see what kind of help, support, advice, and tools they’re offering and suggesting to students and parents. Most public schools will offer an e-library. We also recommend connecting with your children’s teachers if their schedules allow. Introduce your child and ask them if they have any advice or resources available to help make learning at home more comfortable for you and your students. You can also utilize the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution’s online podcasts, events, exhibitions, tours, and animal webcams.
Pro Tip: Involve other “teachers!” Tap aunts, uncles, friends, and grandparents to “substitute” every once in a while. If grandpa is a history buff, ask him to step in for an hour to cover. If your friend down the street is a math whiz, ask for her help when faced with complex problems. Your network of friends and family are your best resources.
5. Make time for fun: Kids who enjoy school are the best learners. Incorporate fun activities, games, time for socializing, playtime, and creative exercises into your daily routines. Don’t fight your little one’s attention span. If they’re starting to lose interest or stare off into space – take a 10 to 15-minute break. Go for a walk, get some fresh air, do some jumping jacks, run a lap around your home, and get back into it refreshed.
Pro Tip: Schedule virtual hangouts with your kid’s peers. Facetime or Zoom a few of your children’s pals for 15 to 30 minutes at the end of the day or around lunchtime so they can chat or play games together. If your kid is 12 or older, the Houseparty app is a place they can play games and talk at the same time.
Taking on the roles of caregiver, parent, employee, and teacher won’t always be easy. But where there are challenges, there are rewards – like witnessing your child make a new friend, or seeing the joy on their face when they solve a difficult math problem. Try to see the positive aspects of this new world we live in and always remember that we’re all in this together.
For some, the dream of a new home is, well . . . just a dream.
Many new homes may simply be out your price range, leaving you with the option of renting or purchasing an older resale property.
That’s why Lennar created NuHome – to provide new, yet affordable single-family homes nearby employment centers, quality schools, shopping and recreation.
Lennar’s latest NuHome community, Lake Breeze is a collection of new homes on the eastern edge of Lake Conroe offering residents direct lake access and amenities including a private, gated entrance and community pool.
Starting at $181,990, six different plans from 1,100 to over 2,200 square feet include features such as an open-concept family room, kitchen and dining areas, and Owner’s Suite with large, walk-in closets and adjoining on-suite bathroom.
Plus, new homes in Lake Breeze will be outfitted with included features such as appliances, recessed LED lighting, designer cabinets, 2” faux wood blinds on all operable windows and a high-efficiency, 16-SEER air conditioning.
Every NuHome community also is backed by Lennar’s more than 65 years of experience, combined with our values of quality, value and integrity.
Need help with a down payment? Not a problem – Lennar’s NuHome program offers qualified buyers a 3.5% down payment assistance grant, available through Eagle Home Mortgage, which can be applied toward a down payment or closing costs.
A new Lake Breeze Welcome Center is now open daily. To learn more, go to www.nuHomeTexas.com/Houston.
Lennar announced their newest masterplan, Heritage at Stonebridge, is coming soon to Las Vegas with plans to open in the fall of 2021. This new guard-gated masterplan will be exclusively for active adults aged 55 and better, offer three new collections of home designs including three Next Gen® – The Home Within A Home® plans and incredible resort-inspired amenities.
“One of the beautiful assets of this site is that it’s surrounded on two sides by the Red Rock Conservation Area, which will offer perpetual undisturbed views,” said Joy Broddle, Division President of Lennar Las Vegas. “Because it will be guard-gated it will offer a true lock-and-leave lifestyle ideal for year-round or part-time residents, is located minutes away from world class hiking, dining, shopping and entertainment. This will be a community for the truly active, nature lovers and more in a gorgeous natural setting, while still being within close reach of the cosmopolitan amenities at Downtown Summerlin just a few minutes away.”
Heritage at Stonebridge will offer 421 homes once completed from three new collections: Cromwell, Stirling and Evander. Eight floorplans will be available, each available in a variety of elevation styles, with sizes that range from approximately 1,232 to 2,873 square feet. The floorplans will include two Next Gen® designs with attached private suites, RV-sized garages and up to four-bay garages.
Lennar’s future top-notch amenities at Stonebridge include an approximately 8,900-square foot recreation center strategically-situated at the center of the community atop a large plateau, with sweeping views of the valley and Red Rock mountains. This multi-million dollar recreation center will feature multiple covered terraces with a variety of seating options that lead out to a large event lawn with fire pit; a separate court area will offer pickle ball and bocce ball courts; a large pool area will feature multiple options including a separate lap pool, play pool, wading pool with waterfall, spa, variety of shaded seating areas, sun decks, outdoor barbecue, beverage cooler and more.
As part of Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program, each new home will come outfitted with popular features and upgrades at no additional cost. Notable items include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, integrated home automation and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ designs as standard.
Because of the community’s location nestled in the Red Rock foothills, Stonebridge will feature varying topography to offer panoramic vistas, easy nearby recreation opportunities and a large, central desert green belt, internal connected pathways and winding trails throughout.
Heritage at Stonebridge will be Lennar’s second 55+ community in Las Vegas Valley, in addition to Heritage at Cadence in Henderson. To explore floorplans or tour models that will be selling at Stonebridge, prospective homebuyers can experience the same home designs at Cadence which is open by appointment.
To learn more about this coming soon community or join the interest list visit www.lennar.com/lasvegas.
About Lennar
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar’s homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LenX drives Lennar’s technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit www.lennar.com.
