The COVID-19 health crisis has greatly affected nearly all facets of life with the education of children being at the forefront of some of the most significant changes. With most school districts moving to some form of an online learning model, many parents are struggling with providing their children with the knowledge and resources needed for them to succeed. Here are five ways that you can ensure that your children are learning during this challenging time.
Create a Schedule
Children thrive on routine. It is no surprise that some may be floundering with so much of their education turned on its head during this unprecedented crisis. Setting up a daily schedule will give your child the routine that they need to guide them through this process. Be sure to work in plenty of time for breaks throughout the day so that your student does not get overloaded with information. That said, it is also important to not get too hung up on the minute details of the schedule. Now more than ever, you need to be flexible with your child as you navigate this new time.
Make Space
Your students will work best if they have a quiet and comfortable place to learn. You do not need a dedicated room to make this happen. Even setting aside a quiet corner for learning opportunities will provide a place that inspires your child to delve into their education. Make sure that your child has a comfortable chair and plenty of lighting in this area. The learning space should be free of clutter or distractions that will prevent your child from focusing on the task at hand. It is important to make sure that the area is also stocked with the necessary school supplies.
Leverage Technology
Technology provides countless opportunities to enhance the educational process. There is a wealth of educational opportunities available to students during this time through online portals. Reach out to your child’s teachers to ask them for recommendations for online resources to help to supplement the learning that is happening at home. While there is never a substitute for individual instruction, online resources can provide a solid supplement to what is happening in virtual school and at home.
Turn to the Professionals
Do not beat yourself up if you cannot provide everything that your child needs in order to be successful during this COVID-19 era. Instead, reach out for help from the professionals. Now is an ideal time to explore outside learning opportunities and support offered by tutors and other educational experts. For example, signing up for a reading tutor program (Frisco, TX) may be just what your child needs to provide instruction and motivation away from the traditional classroom.
Think Outside of the Box
Learning does not have to happen within the four walls of a classroom nor does it need to occur while sitting in front of a computer screen. Now is a great time to think outside of the box about ways that you can enhance your child’s education. This extra time at home is the perfect opportunity to teach your child how to cook and bake. Or maybe you want to give them a crash course about vehicle maintenance. By thinking outside of the restrictions of traditional education, you will likely find that there are loads of ways that you can make learning relevant for your student.
It is important to remember that there is no road map for navigating this new way of life. Giving yourself grace as a parent and practicing patience with your children will ensure the most success going forward.