5 Effective Online schooling Tips for Parents

 

Most schools have already started the new academic year, each with a different system. Some schools will apply a full virtual learning system this year, while others divided the week between regular school days on campus and online schooling. This is a new setting for both kids and parents, and mothers are currently struggling with online learning. Here are some tips that can make the process easier.

 

Homeschooling tips for parents:

 

• Set up a learning area
• Limit any distractions
• Don’t help your child
• Set reasonable expectations
• Validate your child’s feelings

 

Set up a learning area

While this might seem secondary, it makes all the difference. Your child cannot stick to the regular school routine at home. However, specifying a certain area at home for the Zoom classes will help make your child feel as if they’re in class.

 

It should be a quiet area away from the TV or any loud distractions. Make sure that your child has all the needed school material and supplies with them before the session starts to avoid any interruptions. If your child is using a tablet, stick to the same routine, and don’t allow them to roam around the house during the session.

 

Limit any distractions

The biggest distraction is your child’s mobile phone. You don’t want your child to lose his concentration because of Whatsapp chats or TikTok. Explain to your child that they must leave the phone with you before starting the online session. Make sure that your child doesn’t use a tablet for hybrid learning that has games and applications on it. Kids are smarter than you can imagine.

 

Don’t help your child

This is might seem like a strange tip because your child will definitely need help. I personally tried this with my daughter. When I used to stay with her during the session and repeat to her the instructions, she started depending on me completely.

 

However, when I changed my strategy and told her that I will be nearby and she can call me when she needs help, she started to focus more with the teacher and ask her when something was not clear. Remember that you are not your child’s teacher.  Try to coach your kid rather than helping him if you seek to teach him independence rather than focusing on a short term goal. Limit your help to any connection problems that might occur during the session.

 

Set reasonable expectations

Every day we see tens of posts on the Rahet Bally Facebook group of moms complaining that their kids don’t want to sit in front of the screen for the school online sessions. This is the case with most kids.

 

It’s a new situation for our little ones and we shouldn’t expect them to adapt easily especially preschoolers. This is an important factor to consider to prevent frustration. Don’t expect everything to be smooth from the beginning. Your child will struggle and miss some of the data. Be patient and remember that you’re not alone.

 

Validate your child’s feelings

Your children might start to doubt their skills and ability to catch up with online sessions. Tell your child that you know and understand that feeling. Tell them a story where you had to face a new situation. Embrace their frustration and anger. Talk to the teacher about the difficulties your child is facing and ask for advice.

 

Further reading:

 

• My Life as a Working Mom Was Hard Enough Before Virtual Learning
• Phoenix for Education Services: The Support Every Homeschooling Mom Needs
• I’m a Teacher and I am Terrified to Go Back to School