Online learning is still going strong for many! It’s halfway through the year, and this format of learning is wearing on many teachers, parents, and students. How do you keep things going smoothly so the second half of the year is just as productive, or more productive, than before? Here are some tips to make online schooling just a little bit easier.
Provide quiet space
Between crying or playing babies or toddlers, fellow siblings’ classes, and just the general noises that go on during everyday life in a house, it can be hard for many kids to concentrate during online classes. Provide a quiet space, perhaps where your child can have a closed door (if you trust them to remain seated and pay attention). If this is hard to provide, or the house is generally still too noisy, consider investing in a good pair of noise blocking headphones to help your child concentrate.
Provide a set spot for learning
Whether you’re lucky enough to have a whole room to dedicate to online learning, or just a small corner in their bedroom, give your child a dedicated learning spot in the same place every day. It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-worthy (although that’s a plus!) but having a dedicated learning space helps your child get in the right mood for focusing on learning, just like a dedicated working space can get you in the right mood for focusing on remote work.
Have a schedule
Try to complete class work within the time frame given. Or set aside time to do it. It can be all too easy to let it pile up and do it all later, and if this works for your child and you it’s ok, but if that is overwhelming, try completing it throughout the day.
Set alarms and post a class schedule
If your child has classes interspersed throughout the day, It can be hard to get in and out of learning mode all day. Set timers with a 5-10 minute warning before each class, so your child can be prepared and knows that play time/snack time/lunch time ends soon. It also helps many kids to have a visual reminder of their schedule as well. Write down a chart with the days of the week, your child’s class schedule each day, breakfast, snack, and lunch times, break times, etc.
Be present and check in with your child
Try to stay within earshot of your child’s class so you can make sure your child is engaged in learning. Check in with your child every so often if needed to make sure they’re following along with the teacher’s instructions. Staring at a screen for hours on end can be hard. It’s not the same as sitting in person in a classroom with the teacher in front of you, and kids can get restless. Consider a fidget item for a child who has trouble concentrating or sitting still very long.
For more tips about emotional resilience and well-being, check out our blog about taking care of our mental health. This year is a hard year, but we can get through it, and come out stronger at the end!