How has the pandemic affected your life? Ask any parent, and they’ll elaborate on how they’ve had to adjust to their children being around all the time. While having children at home fills your living space with joy and positivity, going to school is essential for their emotional and intellectual development.
Unfortunately, quarantine and social distancing restrictions have forced kids to stay home for more than a year. As schools in certain regions have started reopening, the fear of the novel coronavirus still looms large.
That means attending online classes and studying at home could become a reality for children, at least until the pandemic is over.
The Reality of Studying at Home
If you have a kid at home, you’d know that at-home learning doesn’t come naturally to them. They need the formal ambiance of a classroom and the supervision of a tutor to take an active interest in their lessons.
In the case of online learning, the onus is on parents to ensure that their kids remain focused on their lessons. Also, you need to make sure that your child prepares for tests and completes their homework assignments on time.
If you’ve been looking for ways to help your child make the most of at-home learning, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few simple techniques to help you get started:
Eliminate Distractions
You don’t need someone to tell you that electronic gadgets, including laptops and tablets, could be a significant distraction for kids. Studies show that students spend 20% of their class time browsing their phones or laptops. Worse still, they’re likely to check their devices nearly 12 times a day for “non-class purposes.”
On top of that, the rise of social media and streaming platforms present additional distractions for students.
So, how do you prevent your child from losing focus during class? The first step is to provide them with a dedicated noise-free environment for studying. If the space permits, create a formal classroom-like setup. It’ll help their brain associate the area with school-related activities.
Also, it’s a good idea to discuss with them and plan a daily routine. Factor in dedicated hours for play, social media, entertainment, and internet browsing. It’ll help your child resist the urge to check their Instagram feed during a lecture.
Similarly, you could help them set daily academic goals. It’ll motivate them to finish all tasks instead of browsing YouTube or Google.
Encourage Them to Seek Help
Online lectures put your child at risk of becoming a passive learner. If they’re unable to keep pace with their lessons and assignments, it’s natural that they’ll disengage from the class. This, in turn, could take a toll on their understanding of fundamental concepts and affect their grades.
Any easy way of avoiding such a scenario is to let your kid know that there are various ways to get help with their lessons. Let them understand that not being able to follow a lecture isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s okay if they’re struggling with a particular assignment question and need help solving it.
Online learning platforms, such as HomeworkMarket re-branded to “SweetStudy,” connect students with resourceful tutors. These subject matter experts can help your kids sail through their assignments and prepare for upcoming tests.
Additionally, you should motivate your child to reach out to their teachers for help. Most teachers are always willing to help students resolve their doubts.
Create a Virtual Study Group
If your kid signs getting bored during online classes, it could be because they miss the collective learning experience. In other words, they miss being surrounded by their friends in the classroom.
You could simulate that environment by coordinating with other parents and building a virtual study group for your child. It’s a great way to help your kid interact with their friends and clarify each other’s doubts. They could even collaborate on new projects and assignments.
Virtual study groups can go a long way to ease the boredom and isolation of online learning.
Don’t Forget Safety
Giving your child access to the internet is a must for online learning. But getting internet access at an early age could make them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Make sure you educate your child on safe ways to use the internet.
Help them understand what kind of online interactions aren’t considered acceptable. Also, warn them against sharing personal information on the internet.
Navigating the complexities of online learning isn’t easy for students. Parents can play a crucial role in helping their kids follow a daily routine and set daily goals. Also, please encourage them to reach out to their tutors and peers for help whenever they’re stuck with a question. Don’t forget to educate them about the risks of browsing the internet.
Who am I? A Montessori educator.
What a pleasure to recognize and interpret each child’s needs!
How exciting to help children become self-reliant and support them in their process of self-development.
I am also truly passionate about guiding adults in building their relationship with children.