The pandemic so far has taught us all some valuable lessons—especially as a student or a mother of a student. You’re not your child’s teacher, but it may be difficult to be totally hands-off as a parent while your child struggles with virtual learning. As they desperately try to focus on their teacher through the computer, there are some steps you can take that’ll improve your child’s focus and help the teacher without making it seem like you’re looming in the background of every lesson. Know how to keep your child engaged in virtual learning and you’ll give a new motherly meaning to the term “teacher’s pet.”
Make Sure Your Child is Eating
Good focus begins with a full stomach and energizing nutrients. Since they’ll be at home all day, you can help them prepare for the day with a healthy breakfast. Breakfast doesn’t have to be heavy—it can be as simple as a banana or some cereal. Make sure they eat something, whether before school or between morning classes.
Turn a Room into a Classroom Setting
For younger children especially, not being able to be in the classroom environment with all of their peers may affect their ability to concentrate in e-learning. Make a dedicated spot in your home for your child’s virtual classes and schoolwork. Having this dedicated schoolwork spot is essential for homework during regular school, but during virtual classes it’ll assist with focus and productivity. Elementary school-aged children may work better with some of the more colorful aspects of their physical schoolroom incorporated into their workspace. As an example, consider adding fun seats for each subject that your child learns—like different colored carpet circles or beanbag chairs.
Keep All Learning Tools Organized
If your child doesn’t have a cubby for their laptop, whiteboards, or notebooks, take some time to create one for these important education accessories. No school day should be thrown off track searching for a misplaced book. Let your child personalize their organizational space with stickers or nametag decorations like they would do at school with cubby (or locker.) Once school is out of session, ask your child if they’ve put all their materials back in the school cubby.
Always Be Interested in What Your Child Learns
Remember, while remote learning may be difficult for you as a parent, it’s even harder on your child and their teachers. The most important tip to remember for how to keep your child engaged in virtual learning is to talk to your children about what they learned today or how their day went. Get involved when you can; if they have a physical education block or required exercise time, try doing some physical activity with them to energize yourself and motivate your child.
The outside world is scary, but the most you can do for yourself and your children is to keep your familial bonds tight. Helping your children with school without smothering or scolding them too harshly is a difficult balance to maintain, but a necessary one.
