2020 and 2021 have been unlike any other year in the world’s history, with large events canceled and everyone being forced to stay home and work through "zoom office"or"zoom university". We understand that zoom fatigue is hard for you and harder for your child, that is why we are here to provide you with the information you need to help your child succeed in this unprecedented year!
Build a schedule:
It's very tiring and emotionally draining to have back to back to back zoom meetings, classes, and other calls, but that is precisely why you need to build a schedule. With a schedule: you have designated breaks for your child to rest and eat, recharge if you may. Traditional school days provide students with a lot of structure but this is very hard to replicate in online e-learning days. For some students, the flexibility of learning online is a natural fit. However, for other students, especially young learners, managing this increased autonomy is a challenge. Students participating in e-learning need to build their own routines and effectively manage their time in order to stay on track. Having a well-thought-out, the specific daily schedule is key, and parents can be a huge help not only in building such a plan but also in making sure that it is followed.
Be a Role Model:
In this time, you are also very likely to be working from home through zoom. To help them learn better and achieve during this year, you must show them what it means to work hard online. Learning online from home removes many of the systems of accountability that students are used to in the traditional classroom. Achieving the same level of success will likely take a higher level of intrinsic motivation and self-directed effort. Just like time management skills, this motivation comes more naturally for some students than for others. Regardless, acclimating to online learning platforms, getting accustomed to self-pacing, and working through the normal, productive struggles of learning more independently can be challenging. Parents and other caregivers can make a big difference simply by demonstrating the ubiquity and importance of these skills in the "real world" beyond school.
Set up a workspace or office for them:
Apart from being mentally and temporally structured, it is essential to have some physical organization as well! The right workspace makes a huge difference in students'mindset and ability to focus. When participating in e-learning, students have the ability to complete their work where they want, so it's important to put thought into what kind of environment is truly most effective for them and make sure that they have a designated space at home.
Learn about the platform your child's school uses:
E-learning means that students spend their school days immersed in an online program. For parents, taking the time to get familiar with what those platforms look like, how your child is using them, and what resources are available are some of the best ways you can offer support. Start by exploring any orientation resources provided by your school or district as well as the online learning platform with your student. Make sure he or she is comfortable navigating content and activities and completing basic tasks like submitting assignments and checking grades. Be sure to spend time on communication tools available to your child as well, like built-in messaging features, video-conferencing tools, and interactive classroom functionality. Many online learning platforms also offer parent portals, so be sure to find and explore any tools like this so that you can monitor your child's progress.
Communication with teachers and educators:
While a normal school year features live teacher-parent conferences, open houses, and other resources, we simply do not have that during this year. Despite this fact, teachers still play an absolutely critical role in e-learning. Maintaining open, frequent communication is key to student success. Parents and other caregivers need to take part in this ongoing dialogue to make sure students stay on-pace and get the appropriate help when it's needed.
Zoom learning and working online is tough for many individuals, especially little kids who are less likely to discipline themselves and regulate their workload. This is precisely why parent guidance and intervention are necessary when helping your child succeed during 2020 and 2021! Check out our online afterschool program and online preschool program if you need more help in monitoring your child or improving the way they learn!