Mom's photo of her kindergartner being 'totally over' virtual learning goes viral
A photo of a 5-year-old's honest response to his learn-from-home kindergarten model has parents laughing on social media.
Kara McDowell of Mesa, Arizona, snapped the picture of her son, Graham, on Aug. 6 -- his third day of school. Days later, she shared it on Twitter, where it garnered 58,000 likes.
McDowell, a mom of three, said she stepped away from Graham to help her third grader with his classwork. Her kids started this year's remote learning on Aug. 3.
"Everyone thought it was funny," McDowell told "Good Morning America." "I think if you're in school or working from home and doing anything over a long video, call you can relate to being totally over it."
Graham logs into kindergarten at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to be on until 1:20 p.m. There are breaks in between those five hours, McDowell said.
Twitter users reacted to the funny photo of Graham sprawled out on a chair beneath a laptop, commenting on how the post resonated with them.
"I am experiencing this right this second with a third grader," one parent wrote. "And today's only a half-day."
"Omg thank you for sharing this," a mom said. "I always feel like a failure of a mom when my kindergartner shuts down during virtual class!!
Even a kindergarten teacher chimed in: "There is NO good answer. Just know your child will catch up. Try to provide plenty of hands on activities & movement to balance things out."
McDowell said the teachers in her kids' school district are putting their all into this new normal.
"I'm sure they didn't expect to teach kids to read over a screen," she added. "They're doing the best they can and I have no complaints about the teachers."
McDowell said Graham enjoys the breakup between lessons when his teacher incorporates art and exercise.
McDowell hopes her kids can safely return to school like they've expressed -- especially Graham, who is looking forward to meeting his new teacher in person.
In a statement posted to its website, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wrote that it "strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school."
The AAP stressed the importance of school in children's lives.
"Schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being, and provide our children and adolescents with academic instruction, social and emotional skills, safety, reliable nutrition, physical/speech and mental health therapy, and opportunities for physical activity, among other benefits," the AAP said. "Beyond supporting the educational development of children and adolescents, schools play a critical role in addressing racial and social inequity."
Last month, medical professionals of the Child Mind Institute, shared tips with "GMA" on how parents and students can prepare mentally for the school year ahead. Some of their advice includes staying active and being smart with screen time.
Read more expert tips here.
