Students from all over the world were forced online in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, and it’s looking like schools are preparing for another largely virtual fall semester in 2021.
While this might have been a relatively easy transition for the younger, more tech-savvy generations, many parents have struggled to adapt to this new virtual reality. You want to make the learning process as easy and enjoyable for your child as possible, but it can be difficult to navigate a remote environment, especially if you're working remotely with kids. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to help you support the E-learners in your life:
Tip #1: School supplies for remote learning
The first thing to keep in mind is that students are often more effective learners when they feel comfortable in their environments. There are many important aspects to an effective study space, but first and foremost, your child should have easy access to the necessary school supplies for taking notes and doing their homework. They may be in online "classrooms," but the communal craft closet won't be available to them when a new project comes around this year.
While you work with your child to create their ideal study space, don’t forget that sitting in front of the computer for hours can be bad for their posture and eyesight. A comfortable chair and a pillow can certainly help with this, but most importantly, you should remind your student to take frequent breaks. At the very least, they should make an effort to walk around and look at something at the far end of the room so their eyes can get some reprieve from the screen.
Having access to the internet goes without saying, but did you know that having access to snacks can be just as important? Depending on how long their classes last, your kids will need healthy snacks to sustain their energy and focus. Prepare in advance by having fruit, juice, or an energy bar always at the ready for them to grab when they need it. (This will be especially helpful if you've been struggling to plan meals around their class schedules!)
Tip #2: Reduce Distractions at home
Distractions come in all shapes and sizes— from tablets, to mobile phones, to game consoles and more. Your child could have the most comfortable remote learning space in the world, but if it’s filled with attention-grabbing gadgets, there will likely be some serious setbacks in their academic performance. If you think distractions are unimportant, try to imagine the last time you were crunched for time as a deadline approached; how tempting was it to hop on your phone or check your email? Most children, especially the younger ones, tend to have very short attention spans or get bored easily. If their favorite toys or devices aren’t in sight, they will be more likely to stay focused on what their teachers are saying.
The only thing worse than being distracted by a device is trying to focus while dealing with external noises. It’s a good idea to have a discussion with your family regarding your class and meeting schedules to ensure the house is quiet when needed. If this isn’t possible for your family, you can temporarily move your child’s learning space to the quietest area of the house. This will help them fully concentrate and stay present for the duration of their class.
Tip #3: Remote learning schedules
Having a set schedule, even while not being in school, is essential for every student. Spending too much time at home can make it more difficult to stay organized or motivated, which can not only affect their performance during their classes, but also their sleep schedules and overall mood.
The best way to go about organizing your action plan for the day is to make it creative and fun. Regardless of your child’s age, they will always be willing to make something crafty with you. You can use your favorite markers, a few stickers, and a ruler to put together a weekly plan of responsibilities. This creative project will help them remember their plan and stick to it.
Another great option is using a network management or parental control app to oversee your family's schedule on your mobile device or laptop. There are many applications you can find to help you set reminders, implement time limits, and manage your online schedules, which will be especially helpful if you're working from home.
Tip #4: Helping your child with homework
Your child won't have less questions or need less help on their homework just because they’ve switched to online classes; remote learning does not mean students have unlimited access to their teacher’s office hours. Instead, it means that students now need someone new to step in and offer them help when they need it.
It may not always be homework that your child needs assistance with, either. Internet connection issues and other similar situations are very common with e-learning. To best support your child's online experience, you should keep the number of your service provider handy or monitor network performance with speed testing.
Tip #5: Providing positive feedback
Last, but certainly not least, there are many benefits to providing your child with positive feedback while they’re learning from home. When they were in a classroom full of their peers, it was much easier to get feedback from their teacher or review partner. E-learning does not always allow for this, which can pose an issue for your child’s confidence.
Reminding your student that they are doing a good job by giving specific, encouraging feedback is essential. The more your child believes they are good at this remote learning thing, the happier they will be to wake up each day and log into class.
Finding the right balance
While your child is taking online classes from home, it can be difficult to find the line between being hands-on with their learning process and overdoing it. It may take some practice to figure out what works best for your family, but helping your child establish healthy remote learning habits is a great first step.
The most important thing you can do for your e-learner today is help them to plan out a schedule that works for their needs. This will ensure that they plenty of rest and have time to play while still keeping up with their work. Additionally, being available to help them and answer any questions will strengthen the bond between you. It’s important that your child enjoys the learning process more and never feels ashamed to ask you for help.
Which of these tips do you consider the most important when having a child that is learning from home?
Author Bio: Diana Adjadj is a professional writer for Subjecto. She has a strong passion for helping her younger audience fulfill their writing and research goals and improve the way students approach homework. In her spare time, Diana loves to listen to audiobooks and spend time with her friends. Follow her on Twitter.
