5 Ways to Make Sure this Isn't a Lost Year for Your Teen
COVID is being dubbed as a “lost year.” With so many people displaced from their work and school routines, we are craving stability in a very unstable world.
According to the recent feature in The New York Times “Will This be a Lost Year for Our Kids?,” this year will be “a loss of learning and social-emotional development” for our teens.
And while we understand that sentiment in the scheme of our formally “normal” lives, there are several ways to make the most of this time by making the most of this time by taking advantage of the opportunities that are available. Below, we’re listing five ways your teen can pivot during this time to keep them advancing, growing, and remain on track for the future that lies ahead.
Find something they love: With any teen, during COVID or not, it’s critical to find something they’re passionate about to fuel their interests. At Girls With Impact, we offer girls ages 12-18, a positive online outlet through our live, online MBA program, providing them with the tools needed to become future business leaders and CEOs. And our grads are seeing HUGE outcomes, being accepted into some of the most prestigious institutions, honors programs, seats in business schools, and even receiving scholarships. The programs helps to set them apart, while also showcasing their ideas and ability to work independently.
Make sure they have a strong relationship with their teacher: According to District Administration, a school in Phoenix is providing students to with an adult mentor to monitor their progress, attendance, and social-emotional well-being. They said, “District advisors documented each call and either provided resources or connect families with other public assistance programs.” While not all schools may have this system in place, you can ask your school’s administration or teachers to provide regular “check-ins” to ensure that your child stays on track and connected.
Discover a way to use social for good: We know that teens are spending all of their free time on TikTok. In fact, according to the 4th Annual “What on the Mind’s of GenZ…During COVID,” an estimated 69% of GenZ’ers are on social media. Help guide them to use it as a positive tool by starting their own online businesses by tapping into their passions. This could be an online tutorial, singing, or even dancing on TikTok.
Stay connected to friends: With social distancing, hybrid, and remote learning, it can be hard for kids to see their friends. To stay connected, teens can use Houseparty, Participation, or host a movie night together via a Netflix Party.
With all of the uncertainty lying ahead, it’s crucial to guide your teen to use the resources available to add some stability to an unstable year.