Starting school is an exciting milestone, and as your child embarks on their educational journey, we want to ensure that they have the best tools available to succeed. At Learn With Me Virtually, we’ve chosen to use Google Platform as the primary platform for our Kindergarten tutoring sessions—and here’s why!

1. Familiarity with School Tools

Many schools, including those for younger grades, are starting to use Google tools like Google Classroom, Docs, Slides, and Drive to share materials, assignments, and updates. By using Google Platform in our tutoring sessions, you and your child will get comfortable with these tools from the very start, making their transition to schoolwork much smoother. Not only does this build their confidence, but it also gives them an early advantage in navigating the same platform used by teachers and classmates.

2. Organized Materials for Independent Learning

We know that keeping learning materials organized can be a challenge—especially when your child is just starting out. With Google Classroom, we organize all your child’s learning materials into a clean, easily accessible digital space. Whether it’s worksheets, videos, or practice activities, everything is conveniently stored in one place for easy access.  This makes it simple for you to support your child’s independent practice and ensure they always have the tools they need for success.

​3. Ongoing Communication and Virtual Tutoring Sessions

At Learn With Me Virtually, we believe that staying connected with parents is key to your child’s success. That’s why we use Google Meet for our tutoring sessions, which allows us to interact with your child in a safe, virtual space. You can easily access these sessions directly through Google Classroom, so there’s no need for you to worry about navigating different platforms.

Google Classroom also serves as a hub for everything related to your child’s learning. You’ll find all materials, assignments, and scheduled tutoring sessions in one place, and you’ll be able to monitor what’s happening during each session.

In addition, Google Meet allows for direct communication between you, the tutor, and your child—whether for a quick check-in or a more detailed conversation about progress. If you ever need to discuss your child’s learning, Google Meet makes it easy to schedule a meeting right alongside your child’s tutoring activities. This streamlines communication and makes sure you’re always involved in their educational journey.

4. A Safe and Easy Email Address for Your Child’s School and Communication Needs

If you’re setting up a Google account, it’s also a great opportunity to create an email address that can be used with your child’s school district and other educational needs. We recommend that parents set up the Google account in their own name and use it for the following reasons:

• Keep Your Personal Email Separate: By using a separate email address for educational purposes, you can keep your private inbox free from school-related notifications, assignments, and updates.

• A Joint Account for Co-Parenting: If you and your co-parent are sharing the responsibilities of managing your child’s education, this email account can serve as a shared communication hub. Both of you can access school updates, tutoring materials, and progress reports without needing to forward emails back and forth.

• Sharing Access with Caregivers: If your child is being looked after by a nanny, grandparent, or caregiver during the day, you can share the account access with them to ensure they’re kept in the loop on your child’s learning. It’s a simple way to make sure everyone involved in your child’s education is on the same page.
   

Setting Up a Google Account for You (and Your Child)

Since your child is still very young, you will be setting up the Google account in your name.

 

Here’s how to create the account:

Step 1: Visit the Google Account Sign-Up Page

Go to Google Account Sign-Up. This is where you’ll create the account.

Step 2: Enter Basic Information

Enter your name (as the parent) and choose an email address. This will be the email address you'll use for managing your child’s learning. If your child has their own name, you could create an email like: [child’sname]@gmail.com—a great, child-friendly email to use for school communications!  Just remember, most schools will provide your child with a school issued email address once they enroll, so this will be completely separate.

Step 3: Create a Strong Password

Make sure to choose a strong password. Google will ask you to enter the password twice for confirmation. It’s important to keep this password secure to protect your account.

Step 4: Phone Number & Security Questions

Google will ask for a phone number for account recovery in case you forget your password. You’ll also set up security questions, which will help you recover your account in the future if needed.

Step 5: Review and Accept Terms of Service

Read through Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then click "I Agree." You’re almost done!

Step 6: Set Up Account Recovery Options

You’ll have the option to add a recovery email address or phone number—this is a good idea in case you ever need to recover your account.

Step 7: Customize Your Account

Once the account is set up, you can personalize it with profile pictures and adjust privacy settings. For safety, you may want to review the settings related to sharing and use parental controls if you’re planning to share the account with caregivers or co-parents.

 

Ready to Get Started?

By setting up a Google account for your child (under your name), you’re creating an easy and organized way to manage their learning materials, communicate with their school, and stay connected with everyone involved in their educational journey. And, because this email address is a great way to keep school communications separate from your personal inbox, it’s a smart step to take for both your child and your family.

Conclusion
Using Google Platform isn’t just about convenience; it’s about setting your child up for long-term success. With its organized structure, ease of communication, and integration with school tools, Google provides a safe and efficient way to support your child’s learning journey. So I encourage you to get started with the setup today and build a strong foundation for your child’s education!

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Yours in education,

 

Jessica Giambrone

 

Early Literacy Educator 

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