How Your Babysitter Can Support Your Child with Learning Differences
Your child may have some learning difficulties that you are trying to support them through. This can be challenging for you and the child alike. However, you may be able to call in support from your babysitter as well. The more support you have, the more your child will be able to adapt and achieve academic goals.
Help with bullying
Many times, if your child has learning difficulties, they may get bullied by classmates, especially if they are taken to a separate class for extra support. Have your babysitter be on the lookout for signs of bullying and have conversations with your child about what is happening. Your babysitter can help encourage them and inform you about what is talked about. Read books about bullying to your child and have your babysitter be informed about things related to bullying. Be sure your babysitter knows to communicate anything that is of concern.
Be sensitive and patient
Having a babysitter who is sensitive to your child’s difficulties and is patient enough to help is crucial. A babysitter who is harsh will not be good for your child as they likely know what they need to do. However, a babysitter who can be flexible and in tune with what your child needs at any given moment can help your child feel more accepted and less pressured. You may even want to hire a babysitter who has had similar learning difficulties or has experience with these things so your child has someone who can understand them.
Have your child lead
If your child has a day off or a break from school, you still want learning to continue. In these instances, let your child lead the activities. Have them pick what they want to learn about and allow them to choose what activities they want to do. Your child likely has a way they learn best and has topics they may not get too many chances to explore. Giving them the chance to lead and pick these topics and activities will give them a sense of control over their learning, which will increase their confidence moving forward.
Keep to a routine
Many children with learning difficulties crave structure and routine and any deviation from these can be upsetting for the child. Before your babysitter’s first “shift” with your child, talk to them about the routines your child has. Do they have to do their homework as soon as they get home from school? Do they have a snack and play first? Let them know what routines you have so they can ensure the child is not thrown for a loop when a routine is not followed. You may want to print out a schedule for their after-school routine so the babysitter can visually see what needs to be done and when.
Communicate with the sitter
Keeping communication with any babysitter is crucial, but it is especially important when your child has learning difficulties your babysitter may need support with. Before your babysitter starts working with your child, sit down and have a conversation about your child. Make sure you tell your babysitter their struggles and the best way to deal with situations that may arise, especially in terms of challenges with their learning difficulties. Let your babysitter know how they can best reach you if they have a question and leave contact information for others in case you are unable to be reached.
Certifications and training
While there is no substitute for hands-on experience, having your babysitter get trained in helping your child navigate learning difficulties can give them a head start in knowing how to handle difficult situations, especially if they have never dealt with learning difficulties before. If they take an in-person class, they may have the chance to meet people who have experience with children with learning difficulties, which would give them a chance to learn from someone other than a person on their computer screen.
First-day prep
At the beginning of the school year, have your babysitter aid in preparing your child to go back to school. Have your babysitter comfort your child without pretending that everything will be easy or even okay. Your child may be nervous, and these feelings need to be validated, not brushed off. Before the big day, have your babysitter walk through the after-school routine with your child to help eliminate the stress of not knowing what to expect. You may even want your babysitter to go through a few shifts with your child as if school has started back up. Use coloring or activity sheets to help simulate homework and have snacks in the house. This will help build the routine so your child can feel comfortable once school does start and they can jump right into the new year.
Having a child with learning difficulties can be difficult to navigate, especially with a babysitter, but getting everyone on board to guide your child will set them up for success.