If you have kids who are continuing their education via remote learning, then you might have gone through an adjustment period as they get used to being in a virtual classroom.
Getting into the groove of things might be difficult for some students. Thus, it’s up to parents to go the extra mile to help them thrive in their new learning environment.
To do just that, here are some tips from distance learning expert Peter Robertson and award-winning teacher Sarah Brown Wessling.
Create a Learning Station
One of the most helpful things you can do for your kids is to set up a space for them that’s dedicated to learning. If you haven’t yet, find a space at home that’s free from distractions and turn it into a temporary study area.
You don’t even have to spend much on it. Try to look for affordable study tables at places like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace.
You can also make a day of decorating the space with your kids.
Routines over Schedules
As Wessling observed, parents made the mistake of turning their homes into a school complete with rigid schedules at the start of the pandemic. Unfortunately, many of these schedules didn’t last long.
Thus, Wessling recommends creating routines instead of schedules. The main difference between the two is that a routine is about using signals to let your kids know it’s time for learning.
If implemented right, routines will eventually become habits that will guide your family throughout the school day.
Strategic Breaks
It’s no secret that children have short attention spans. They typically learn best in 30-minute increments so taking small short breaks throughout the day is recommended.
Have your kids take what Wessling called ‘brain breaks’ by having them do breathing exercises or just step away from Zoom for a few moments.
Break Down Tasks
Kids aren’t exempt from feeling overwhelmed especially when faced with big tasks. They might be stressed looking at the pile of homework they have to do each day.
Help them tackle assignments by showing them how to break them into smaller tasks. Say your kid was assigned to read 40 pages by their English teacher, you can suggest them to read five pages at a time and take short breaks in between.
Work with Teachers
It’s also important that you regularly communicate with your kids’ teachers. Working with them will help both of you monitor the progress of your child and find ways to keep their education on track.
Your insight can help teachers because you get to spend the most time with your kids.