Tips On Helping Your Kid Adjust To Online Classes

The Covid-19 pandemic saw many parents having to teach their kids because they couldn’t attend school due to social distancing guidelines. Online classes proved to be a challenge for both kids and their parents. 

Many schools are now using hybrid learning that consists of both in-classroom and online learning. Some kids have more difficulty in adjusting to online learning than others. Here are some tips that can help you to help your kid. 

Create a suitable learning space

Kids need a dedicated learning space without distractions. They feel more autonomous if they have all the learning materials they need close at hand, such as paper, pens, pencils, sharpeners etc. Allowing them to personalize their learning space in various ways can help to make it feel more welcoming and comfortable. 

Facing an unfamiliar learning experience, like online classes, can make certain kids feel insecure and this can manifest in various ways, such as becoming withdrawn or being more aggressive than usual. If you find your kid is battling with all the changes, you may need to consider counseling. Without a delay,find a therapist in NY and discuss the matter. 

Establish rules and goals

Kids work harder when expectations are clear. They are also more likely to follow the rules if they have a hand in creating them. You need to have discussions with your kids so you can set rules they agree to keep. You also need to set goals at the beginning of each day. 

For older kids, rules may revolve around the use of cell phones or media multitasking. They may think they can scroll on social media while listening to a teacher giving a Zoom class but they will remember less of the material. You need to be consistent in the ways you react to broken rules and unmet expectations. 

Increase predictability with routines and systems

A lack of predictability is often what creates the kind of emotions that can derail online learning. Routines and systems can help to create a sense of safety or order. You need to make sure that your kids get enough sleep, get dressed, and eat breakfast before online learning starts. 

Setting up a schedule your kids can follow makes sure that they take regular breaks during the day, eat meals at specific times etc. You should include some time for free play too. Setting up routines and systems can increase predictability and give your kids the security they need to settle down and make the most of online learning. 

Make work meaningful

Online learning means that the teacher conducts the classes and you are left trying to answer the questions about why your kids need to learn the material. It is not enough to say, “because your teacher said so.” You need to find ways to make the material more relatable to your kids and align it with their interests. 

Focusing on what your kids don’t do well can make them disengaged and bored. If you focus on what they enjoy and do well, it increases their feelings of competence and autonomy. You can also use your kid’s preferred activities as incentives for completed work. 

Strike a balance between structure and flexibility

If you are overly controlling, you can undermine your kids’ motivation to learn. Constantly watching their every move and putting pressure on them all the time means they aren’t motivated to work without you forcing them to do so. You want them to develop autonomy and self-motivation. 

Structuring every minute of every day, monitoring your kids constantly, and nagging them to work will prevent them from becoming self-reliant, independent thinkers who can complete tasks on their own.