The COVID-19 virus has forced institutions across the nation to come up with creative solutions to ensure children get the education they need. Now, parents have been tasked with the responsibility of making sure their children stay engaged and educated. But unlike the almost 80% of private school teachers who have an advanced degree, getting used to online learning can be tough for parents. If you’re in the same boat, here are some online learning tips to help you out.
Limit Distractions
Virtual forms of education like online art classes for kids might seem like easy ways to hold attention in one place. But with the whole of the internet available for browsing and a number of other digital devices at their disposal, kids are easily distracted. As a parent, it’s your job to limit those kinds of distractions while your child needs to be focused on learning. Set healthy limits on digital devices during learning time. Making time for breaks is an important lesson that local private schools and their teachers can attest to, but make sure your child knows when break time is over.
Create a Space for Learning
Whether your child is enrolled in online art classes for kids and needs a place to paint or they’re conducting a nature experiment and need somewhere that can get a little messy, making space for learning is important. Just as you need to separate work and home areas, the same is true for your child while they’re learning. Create a space that’s dedicated to their learning time and helps them feel like they’re in a more school-like environment. This can also help them separate learning time from playtime.
Keep Friend Interactions Intact
As we mentioned earlier, taking time for education breaks is important. One of the best ways to use these breaks is to allow your child to be on a video call with their friends from school. You could also wait until the “school day” is over. The most important thing to acknowledge is that your child probably misses their friends! Video calls are the closest we can get to seeing someone we miss in person. Speak with other children’s parents to set up a virtual playdate. This can help create a sense of normalcy for your child and help them feel like even though they can’t be at school, their friends are still there.
Online learning can be a tough change to get used to for both you and your child. Even though online art classes for kids can be fun, not being able to see friends or teachers in person can present a barrier for your child’s learning. But with these tips, you and your child will be well on your way to mastering the art of online education.
