https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:25:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2914043 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 12:19:46 +0000 Anagram 2914043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbubbletea: It's fine. Reading to your kids is the number 1, main good thing you can do for early literacy. Then all the other stuff you mentioned is necessary for fine motor and gross motor skills. </p> <p>My kids are older, at 4 and 6. They are both in public school (4 year old is in public full-day pre-k in the same building as my 6 yr old first grader). </p> <p>The has both have daily lesson plans that hit all 5 areas (language arts, social studies, wellness, science, math), but the pre-k lesson plans have all been play based. I think it's very age appropriate, but of course, it's hands-on for the parent--lessons will be like, "have your parent read a non-fiction book to you, and you discuss 3 things you learned", or "have a parent help you chart the weather for every da this week". Since I am working 8-1pm or so, I have my 6 year old be the parent and do all the reading to the 4 year old, I put the 6 year old in charge of helping make the charts, etc. </p> <p> 4 year old has a zoom meeting daily at 11am--it's only about 30 minutes and the teacher sends out the activity they are going to do in advance. The usually sing the weather song, they take turns doing show-and-tell 1x a week, and the teacher will read a story and unmute students one at a time to answer comprehension questions.</p> <p>My 6 year old has more "real work", meaning more work sheets and writing exercises each day. They started with mostly review in math, but eventually they went back to where they left off in 2 digit subtraction with regrouping, so how they are back up to pace. </p> <p>But by and large, I give them their work but basically benevolently ignore them all morning. After 4 year old's nap, I'm done with work and then I can focus on them more and we go out for walks or do fun activities at home. </p> <p>When I need them out of my hair in the morning, I have them do Youtube Yoga each morning, and 1 youtube dance class each day before lunch. They also have zoom singing lesson 1x a week. So that stuff rounds out our day and they can do it without my help so I can work. </p> <p>I don't think the Zoom lessons are "important" at this age, although my kiddo enjoys them to see her classmates. I have to sit next to her (off screen) to get her to focus. I just bring my laptop and work next to her while she's doing her stuff, and I repeat what the teacher is saying and redirect her I also sometimes give her a snack to sit longer. But I don't think it's essential, I think it's just a nice-thing-to-have for social interaction. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2914030 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 11:08:44 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2914030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: I feel bad for our teachers! I am sure they are happy to have income still but this is so not the job they signed up for! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2914029 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 11:04:58 +0000 Jess1483 2914029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh hell no. I used to teach preschool, and that's insane. My 4 year-old's preschool (usually meets 3 days per week) is doing one e-mailed "story time," one Facebook live "morning meeting," and one zoom time each week. I feel like that's plenty. </p> <p>I am also grieving the loss of the last months of preschool. It has had me in tears a number of times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2914027 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 10:34:53 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2914027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much to everyone for making me feel better. I do kind of wish they would be interested in doing the circle times, just to keep some connection with their classmates and teachers, but after the first week they just keep leaving the room when I set it up so it’s pointless! </p> <p>I do still feel grief to be losing this last chunk of preschool for my oldest. He had been at the school since he turned 2 and it would have been nice to finish out the year. Part of me wants to continue the connection for that reason but it’s not even close to the same thing so I need to let it go! Ugh and my daughter had just started in January and was finally adjusting well. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2914025 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 10:25:05 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2914025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That’s more than my senior kindergarten kid gets! Though I kind of wish they would do a zoom meeting maybe 1-2x per week as he misses his friends and teachers so seeing them in a structured way would be nice. His teachers are all about things being optional and it’s too lax...I want schedule for him and struggle to get him to pay attention to me. </p> <p>I would just do as you said! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2914024 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 10:13:52 +0000 LadyDi 2914024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbubbletea: I do not think you should feel pressured to do any of that. My son's pre-k has done one zoom class, but it was pretty simple. A story, a short discussion about the letter of the week, and then show and tell which turned into the kids just grabbing toys to show each other and it was ADORABLE. My son loved it but I think he'd get bored with it if it was every day. Other than that his teacher has uploaded youtube videos of story time and stuff like that and we watch them if we need to fill a few minutes of time. </p> <p>I'm interested to hear your feedback about playing preschool! I have thought about purchasing it but we are about to move and I don't want to buy any new supplies right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2914013 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 08:47:31 +0000 Mommy Finger 2914013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow that is so much. My first grader has one zoom meeting with his class/teacher a week and that's enough. We don't do anything formal with my pre-k kid except let him go on ABC Mouse which he finds fun while his brother is doing his "actual" school learning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2914012 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 08:47:03 +0000 wrkbrk 2914012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are paying full tuition for my son’s private preschool and he haaaaates the zoom classes. We usually do half, if that. Oh well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913991 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 06:51:01 +0000 graceandjoy 2913991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My preschooler only joins Zoom meetings to see her teachers/friends. She has no desire to do any kind of work; we just read a lot to her and she is kind of learning from her sister too?? </p> <p>My kindergartener also is on zoom more to see people. They do a tiny little lesson (usually sight words) but most of the other direct instructions are google slides and videos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913982 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 05:24:09 +0000 Becky 2913982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree they’re still very little and that you won’t lose anything by skipping the Zoom lessons. Our school doesn’t do Zoom and I’m glad of it because my first grader really isn’t into all of these online activities. I do wish our teacher did check-ins like others have mentioned, just to keep the kids used to seeing them and to give a sense of normalcy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913978 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 22:24:53 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2913978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly... I hate zoom 😅. I don’t like it for myself even, but of course these days it’s better than NOT seeing friends/family!</p> <p>My kids (6, 4, 2) like it for a couple minutes and they’re done.</p> <p>But we homeschool and don’t really do any screen time (we will maybe show them one show a week, my 6 yo has seen a couple movies). I’m not against screen time but they honestly have so many other things to do that fill up the whole day.</p> <p> If they were in school I’d definitely participate in zoom a little bit so they feel connected to their teacher/classroom, but it would be for social/relational purposes alone- not educational/developmental reasons! We had a couple show and tell zoom meetings for our homeschool group and we participated so they could see their friends and feel connected to the community.</p> <p>Playing, reading, crafts, being outside, projects, etc. all sound way better to me than time on the screen! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913977 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 22:01:01 +0000 winter_wonder 2913977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>100% not necessary. Your kids will learn so much from playing rather than these structured lessons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913975 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 21:22:34 +0000 Mama Bird 2913975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do a 40-minute Zoom class for the Pre-K kid every morning. It keeps her in touch with the teacher and the class, keeps her entertained, and is really not that hard for me. And it means her teacher gets paid. So I'm good with it. Although I did go through several stages of denial about how much time they expect the parents to spend helping the kids do projects. I've gotten to the point of acceptance now, so I'm good there too.</p> <p>It's not Zoom any more, though. We've been forced to switch to Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a very picky platform. I'm still having technical issues and thinking very unkindly of our school chancellor every time I try to make it work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913972 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 20:23:52 +0000 Kemma 2913972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, nope, nope! It might be nice to join in every now and then but your kids aren’t missing out on anything if you don’t. Just read with them, play with them and allow them to enjoy these slower days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913971 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:54:48 +0000 JCCovi 2913971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>100% skip. I think a lot of the programs offered are more for justifying the school's stance on tuition or for offering a brief respite to working families while someone virtually (tries to) entertain their kids. vs. for the good of the kids. If you are able to just play and read yourselves that seems like a much more desirable option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913970 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:28:03 +0000 catgirl 2913970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For preschool age kids I think you are completely fine to skip it! Reading, playing outside, doing art, and allowing independent play are perfect in my opinion.</p> <p>My DD's preschool is sending daily videos - they are 10-15 minutes and we watch them each day. They are also doing occasional zoom calls but we discovered DD was completely overwhelmed by them, and to be honest I was too! So we tell her when they are happening and give her the choice, right now she doesn't want to do them. She does like doing facetime or zoom with one or two kids or one of her teachers, so we try to set those up a couple of times a week. But that is for social connection not education. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913969 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:25:00 +0000 hummusgirl 2913969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would skip if if they're not into it! </p> <p>My kids do a bunch of screen stuff but it's working for them right now, and I really need them to be on screens unfortunately since my husband and I both have to work from home. </p> <p>If I could instead be doing hands-on projects, reading, playing, etc. I would in a heartbeat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913966 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:52:28 +0000 bhbee 2913966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our preschool (which is asking us to pay half if we can) is posting stuff but all intended to be very optional. I feel a little guilty not watching it all but it doesn’t work that well for us. For my boy going into K I skip almost all the videos except songs he knows motions to. I try to do circle time at home a few times a week and he enjoys practicing writing some. Otherwise it’s play and legos and some crafts. Whatever you do will be fine! He can’t even sit still to FaceTime grandparents so I can’t imagine trying to zoom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913965 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:45:33 +0000 honeybear 2913965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>"Are we ok if we just read together every day, draw and color and do art, play outside, that kind of stuff?" </p> <p>YES. Absolutely. </p> <p>Candidly, I wouldn't do any online learning with a little kid, not even if I was paying tuition. I mean, you chose Montessori for a reason and I can't imagine that it was for all the great ed tech they integrated into the program. (I picked Montessori preschool too.) I don't think small children should be on screens. Heck, my 9 year old is almost never in front of a screen. I am fine with exceptions for the occasional movie/documentary and video chat with grandparents, but otherwise, nope, not ever for the preschool/early elementary crowd. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913964 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:38:45 +0000 Corduroy 2913964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't feel obligated to do it at all. Your kids are going to be fine. I think the only thing that matter is if they enjoy it and if you enjoy it. </p> <p>The Zoom calls seem to be too much for my kids (4.5 and 7). I don't know exactly what's going on in their heads but I think the Zoom calls remind them how different everything is and it's overwhelming. </p> <p>I casually tell my kids when they have Zoom calls available (Girl Scout troop chat, 1st grade teacher reads stories 3x/week, and preschool does show and tell) but the kids haven't wanted to join these last two weeks. Fine by me.</p> <p>ETA: Education wise my daughter connects much better with the short 1-3 minute videos her teacher puts together once a week to introduce a topic. It still seems to open up a lot of emotion for her just hearing her teacher but we can pause or rewatch as needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913963 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:32:18 +0000 ALV91711 2913963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds like a lot for preschool. If you or the kids aren’t into it I wouldn’t force it. Reading and other activities you mentioned will be good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913962 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:01:43 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2913962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also purchased Busy Toddler's "Playing Preschool" curriculum because I have always admired her activities on instagram. I haven't started because you need to order some stuff and I hate using amazon these days... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-zoom-or-not-to-zoom#post-2913961 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:59:58 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2913961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This part venting, part advice request. My kids, 2.5 and 5, were in a montessori preschool 3 full time days per week. My daughter will be returning in the fall and my son will be headed to public K. Their school is doing distance learning via daily work plans and zoom meetings. They were doing daily circle time and stepped it up to 3-4 subject specific lessons daily which seems crazy to me! I feel for the teachers trying to do this with kids at home but I do know they are trying to keep paying as many teachers as possible and therefore giving them work (and asking us to continue paying tuition as able). </p> <p>For a little context and general comment about my parenting style (or lack there of :silly: ), I have never really been much of a schedule mom. I want to be because I hear how beneficial it is for kids, but it just never has worked for me. We tend to have relaxing slow mornings and then do some type of family activity activity outside, it's the kids' time to see my husband since he works evenings 1pm-10pm. </p> <p>Basically, how important or beneficial do you think these distance learning preschool activities are? I feel better about my daughter since she has finally become a great independent player and does lots of creative self directed activities. Plus, she's 2! My almost kindergartener has me more worried! He's not into the zoom meetings at all, and I don't love trying to pull off montessori style activities at home. Are we ok if we just read together every day, draw and color and do art, play outside, that kind of stuff? I think I feel guilty not pulling off the distance learning and a more structured day since I can't work from home. Plus I feel bad that they have their teachers doing all this work and my kids are just not doing it. </p>