What is distance learning? Distance learning or virtual education is where teachers and students temporarily move their normally in-person classes online. Education is getting better, easier, and more accessible with the help of technology, but how does distance learning help students play out? What do the students do, and how do they get the best distance learning help?
The help of parents in distance learning
Distance learning or online tutoring in London is a relatively new concept in most parts of the UK. As schools and online tutors attempt to make learning equitable with distance learning, they face new challenges. That does not mean that parents are unaware of the idea. In some ways, they are more aware of this concept as they have to help their children with distance learning, and the subject gives them the help and tools to succeed in this field.
Preparing for Success in distance learning
Create a room
Set up a corner for reading, learning, and creating. If space is limited, use a moving box or crate. Even if that means placing a pencil box beside the device your child will use, let them help prepare the area. They will feel prepared when the work area is ready.
Make a schedule
Children need structure, so explain what to expect from them. It can be helpful to make a visible schedule to show them. Keeping track of what’s happening each day can be done with a calendar planner for children.
Instead of lying in their pajamas in bed, which could lead to less learning, have them follow a routine as if they were going to school.
Provide a learning environment
It’s not always easy to do this. In a busy kitchen setting, the child may ignore the task at hand. That is even more challenging when everyone is home.
Personalize the education
Your child’s learning environment is almost always adaptable (e.g., sound, light, room, equipment, etc.). Sometimes you can even choose their curriculum (what they learn). You should build as much as you can backward from your child’s strengths.
Stay close to them
Stay close to your child when they have trouble focusing. To help get them back on track, consider providing nonverbal cues or one-phrase cues.
If your children are entirely unsupervised, keeping them on the course will be more challenging. There are times when you cannot keep an eye on your children at all times. You or someone else in the family should keep a close eye on them at all times.
Keeping Focused
Boost self-regulation
- Talk to your children about how they feel when frustrated, excited, or upset. It helps them handle their emotions.
- Keep other devices out of your child’s workspace.
- Block remotes and turn off the phone if temptation comes knocking.
Play pretend
Young children who feel disoriented might benefit from role-playing. Help your child stay on track (and let them help you stay on track!) by making them a work partner, teacher.
The older children may not be interested in playing pretend. Still, they may respond well to a discussion about instilling better responsibility (like chores, self-control, etc.) because they’re older and gaining maturity. You may be surprised by their response.
The older children may not be interested in playing pretend. Still, they may respond well to a discussion about instilling better responsibility (like chores, self-control, etc.) because they’re older and gaining maturity. You may be surprised by their response.
Get input from children about their interests
Your children’s favorite interests – whether animals, Minecraft, or magic – can help fill the gaps in the school day. Reading books, doing science experiments, or doing math related to favorite topics can help fill the gaps.
Whenever possible, ask children how they want the day to be structured. Include their suggestions in the schedule. Would you prefer your child to start studying math last or first if it is their most challenging subject? Follow up with them regularly about distance learning.
Display their work
Display pictures, writings, or other projects your children create in your house. That helps them value their learning and shows you are proud of their work. Children of all ages enjoy showing pride in their work and bragging about it.
Praise in detail
Giving specific explanations of your children’s work is much more effective than saying “good job.” Give them credit for their efforts. Are they making progress? Did they try something new? What kind of creative or innovative effort did they make? Furthermore, it’s essential to promote a growth mindset in children, meaning showing them that you can’t be good or bad at something, as long as you work towards getting better at it.
Encourage Ownership and Effort
Everything depends on the presentation
Children’s perception of activity is greatly affected by its presentation. Make tasks fun for children by framing them as games whenever possible. Play a game of throwing clothes into the correct piles when challenging your child. You can give them cereal pieces and let them use them to work on math problems, and then you can give them cereal pieces when they are finished.
Teens and tweens sometimes display bad attitudes to cover up insecurity, boredom, and anxiety. Although it seems just the opposite, children want us to help them through their difficulties.
Take advantage of the natural consequences:
There’s no harm in “rewarding” your child with screen time, but it can also set up his perception of screens as desirable. It would be better to frame the situation as a time constraint: “If you finish your work in two hours and are on time, you can play video games.”
Motivating efforts and progress that make sense can counterbalance a lack of intrinsic motivation. Make sure you discuss ideas with your child and set benchmarks. Praise their achievements along the way.
Make your children your best friends
Ask your child what they would say to a friend in the same situation to say something negative about themselves.
What would a good friend say to you if you beat yourself up as a parent? How would you respond? Try to gain a new perspective and focus and consider making a gratitude list.
If you need help, ask for it
It’s not always easy to help your child. Consider your family, friends, teachers, and others who may be able to help fill in the gaps. You can often get back to just being a parent by having another adult handle the homework battle.
Be sure to report how things are going to their teachers, focusing on the positives first. We all do our best, but it is essential that teachers know what works and doesn’t work for their children to give them the help they need.
Use humor and movement
Movement is sometimes necessary for our bodies. They learn more when they are happy. If you need to reset the day and bring new energy to the home, take everyone for a walk or hold a 5-minute dance party during the day.
Learning and well-being both benefit from finding the funny right now. Try to come up with weird connections, answer weird questions, and your children will correct you!
Conclusion
Parents are an essential part of the distance learning process. They are responsible for making sure their child is comfortable in the learning environment. Having parents encourage their children and support learning will go a long way. We hope you enjoyed our post on how to help your child with distance learning.
