“How to get your kids motivated and easily navigate the new online learning?”  is just one of the many questions parents, which we bet, are struggling to find the answers. And this applies to all levels – whether in Preschool, Grade School, and in any High schools in Batangas or even overseas. 

The sudden limitations and unexpected new normal for schools have (without a doubt!) taken many families by surprise. We understand and somehow imagine what parents must have felt when their kids are being asked to learn from home. Due to the coronavirus, there may be uncertainties about what’s going to happen for their child’s education. However, consequently, there are very creative options and easy ways to help them adjust.

 

Top 5 Tips for Parents to Help Your Kids Adjust to the New Normal

The following are proven tips and strategies that parents can use to boost their kids’ motivation and help your child to discover the joy of learning even during this challenging time. 

 

1. Encourage an Open and Sincere Parent-and-Child Communication

What is the status of your relationship with your child? It is important to plant a seed of strong bonds between your kids because this will help you build a harmonious relationship. Encouraging your child to express their opinions and feelings or discussing almost any topic relating to what’s going on with their education can be the key to creating an open atmosphere at home. The main target is to help them know that they’re not alone in this journey.

 

2. Understanding the Basics Things You Need to Prepare

The new set-up for today’s learning is often through online or modules and assignments are sent out by the school. We know that this kind of experience isn’t easy now that homes are converted into classrooms. But here are a few things that can help every parent ready!

Create a learning space that is best suited for your kid. This has to be a quiet, comfortable, and clutter-free area. It doesn’t have to be fancy like the ones you might see at Pinterest or Instagram. What’s important is it a place where they can focus on their learning. 

Make a schedule and help your kids to make it a habit. There will be no school bell to mark the day or any means of figuring the allotted time for a particular subject. So it may be a little difficult if there’s no schedule for your kids to commit. It is important to set a routine for them, most especially for the kindergarteners because finding time to learn requires planning. It is recommended to take a look at your family’s schedule for you to figure out the best time suitable for your kids. This will most likely help them achieve when it comes to meeting deadlines. One of the great ways to set up a scheduling system is through using calendars and color-code the days while breaking down the tasks.

 

3. Reduce Distractions

Make a list of the things that distract your child. Then, find ways to limit them during learning time. Try blocking them on your child’s device during instructional time. Another way to eliminate online temptations: After downloading an assignment, turn off the Wi-Fi and/or cellular service to help your child focus on the work.

You can try contemplating the following questions as you ponder the possible ways to reduce the threat of distractions:

• • Can your child work alone? If not and he/she requires a lot of help to get started, then it is recommended to allot a particular time wherein you can give attention and guidance. In case, there are time restraints (such as you being out of the house due to work-related matters), asking for assistance from another adult (relatives) or a responsible sibling who may be available to provide support and guidance is the alternative solution.

 

• • Is there any specific time that they are most awake and more enthusiastic to learn? What kind of routine have you built into your child’s daily schedule? It is important to balance the needs of your kids. Make sure to include a specific time for exercise and going outside to take brain breaks. By doing so, it can help your kids to get more things done and enhance their focus to complete the work.
  • Creating a fun yet serious contract between your kids will help them to honor such negotiation in terms of setting a specific time for the leisure use of gadgets. Helping them to follow certain rules relating to activities that may disrupt their study time is highly recommended. When kids are learning full-time at home, you have to ensure that they can still enjoy the life of being a kid wherein they can watch TV or play video games; however at the most managed time schedule as possible.

4. Make Learning Fun through different Strategic Approach

There are several fundamental learning styles you can use that are well-matched with your child. Since every student is unique you have to understand there are preferred learning styles coordinated towards a student’s personality. As such, certain techniques focused on the different aspects (like Visual, Auditory, Verbal, Physical, Logical (mathematical), Social and Solitary) can help them enjoy online learning, improve their rate or skills of acquiring knowledge and thus enabling them to experience student life at the fullest- despite the pandemic. 

As a parent, it is quite helpful to identify the specific barriers that may hamper the means of communication with the faculty and the school in entirety. Things that involve eLearning tools suggested by the school and the collaboration with your child’s teacher can help young students feel more at ease. Together, you can then cultivate and know where to go for what or in a sense of securing the direction of your child’s learning.

 

5. Power up with a Virtual Engagement

Keeping your kids engaged to the campus community is important to help them be on track with their fellow students. This can build a unique interaction, wherever they are, and efficiently encourage them to active participation. 

Did you know that according to Paige Paquette, the feelings of isolation, frustration, and disconnecting can most likely prompt students to drop out of online courses? These are some of the biggest reasons that make the current situation a bit harder to manage. Therefore, encouraging engagement even though it’s virtual for now would contribute to their motivation and contribute to students’ success.