It’s been almost a year since students made the transition to online learning in response to the coronavirus crisis. Since then, teachers have had time to work out the kinks in their remote teaching strategies. Students and parents have (mostly) gotten the hang of distance learning technology. So, everyone is back on track and doing well in school again, right?
Well, not exactly. Even with amazing teachers and reliable technology, online learning can be extremely challenging for students. After all, finding the motivation to learn through a screen is super tough! Possibly even tougher, however, is being a parent and feeling helpless as your child struggles with online learning.
Is there anything you can do to help your online learner? Fortunately, the answer is yes. Here are a few ways parents can help their kids succeed with online learning.
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Be Patient
First and foremost: Remember to approach your kids from a place of understanding and love. Although your kids may or may not talk much about the pandemic or other crazy events happening in the world, they’re almost certainly affected by it.
For instance, teenagers who were in the process of choosing a career and applying for college may be worried about their future. Rather than dismiss their fears, now is the time to be reassuring and understanding.
Similarly, younger kids may act out because they miss school and their friends. Although unruly behavior can be frustrating for parents to deal with, it’s important to be patient during these unprecedented times.
Set Up a Dedicated Space for Learning
Last spring, many parents hastily set up a learning space for their kids. But if space was only ever meant to be a temporary solution, consider putting a little more effort into it, making it a functional learning space for your kids.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a quiet learning space. Browse Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for secondhand desks or a comfy chair for your kids. You can also peruse moving sales and yard sales to score furniture for cheap.
Reduce Distractions
One of the biggest challenges of online learning is dealing with constant distractions at home. Between constant smartphone notifications, family members, pets, and noisy yardwork, there are a lot of things that can make it difficult for your child to stay focused.
Here are some suggestions to help them overcome such challenges:
- Keep smartphones and gaming devices in a separate room while your child is studying and working on assignments.
- If your child keeps opening time-wasting websites, consider downloading apps such as StayFocusd to keep them on task.
- Use white noise to block out annoying sounds that steal your child’s attention away.
- If possible, create a quiet space for studying.
- Keep a tidy space — messy spaces can be distracting.
Establish a Routine
During these uncertain times, kids need consistency and structure more than ever. Establishing a daily routine can go a long way in helping them stay healthy, both physically and mentally. This is true for kids and adults of all ages.
To find a routine that works for your family, start by looking at your child’s school day schedule (you can ask your child or their teacher for this information). Then, set meal times, snack times, stretch breaks, and playtimes into the schedule.
For the best results, involve your child in making the schedule. They’ll be more likely to follow a routine when they’ve played a part in making it.
Set Age-Appropriate Goals
Effective goal setting is a crucial step for ensuring success with online learning. Teaching kids how to break down large goals into smaller ones can make online learning seem much less daunting. Not to mention, it’s an important skill that can set them up for future success outside of the classroom.
When helping your child set goals, it’s important to keep their age in mind. Young kids in particular may need more assistance with goal setting than older teens. Consider teaching your younger children to break down tasks into smaller pieces.
Teenagers, on the other hand, may need less help with homework goal-setting and more assistance with setting career-related goals. Maybe you could encourage them to find internships and help them work on developing skills that look good on a resume.
Familiarize Yourself with Online Learning Technology
Another way that parents can help their kids with online learning is by taking the time to get familiar with the online platforms their child is using. What resources are available to your child? How is your child using the technology to learn? Knowing your way around this technology will allow you to monitor your child’s progress and help them when they’re having trouble.
Online platforms such as Google Classroom offer parent portals that allow parents to view their child’s assignments, homework, and daily activities. Get in touch with your child’s teacher and ask for this information. If there isn’t a parent portal, you can also ask the teacher for resources to help get you up to speed.
Stay in Touch with Teachers
You’re not the only person who wants to see your child succeed. Teachers are doing everything they can right now to increase engagement and keep their students on track. Parents can often help their kids succeed in online learning by simply keeping an open line of communication with teachers and maintaining a strong, parent-teacher relationship.
Reach out to your child’s teacher and let them know your situation. If you have restricted internet access or something else that could be impairing your child’s ability to learn, make sure that your child’s teacher knows this. By working in tandem with your child’s teacher, you can come up with solutions that will help keep your child on track.