Do you find online learning for kids overwhelming? Do you want to know more about online learning and distance education, which leaves you feeling stressed out?
Well, you're not alone!
Many parents are overwhelmed by the world of online education, where children learn at their own pace in a virtual classroom with an instructor who lives miles away from them.
As a parent, online learning for kids can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing. Your child is getting the chance to learn online, which means they can do it on their schedule at home. However, this also means that your responsibilities are multi-fold, and you're in charge of doing most of the work.
This blog post will help get your feet on the ground so that you can feel less stressed out about distance and online learning for kids. Here are some tips for parents to cope with the stress of online classes.
Let's get started!
5 Top Strategies and Tips for Online Classes For Stressed Out Parents
1. Short Breaks During Online Learning For Kids
Online learning can be distracting, and following that distraction on a screen naturally requires kids to refocus back to study, which takes energy. Giving kids frequent breaks while they do online learning helps a lot because it gives them a chance to think about other things. This way, their brain doesn't need the same refocusing time and again.
Results suggest that relaxation is essential during prolonged bouts of work on any task, and breaks add to that by relieving stress that accumulates while performing complex tasks. This feeling of relief is especially welcome after a particularly demanding project/lesson, which may last some hours.
After working on a task for five to 25 minutes, young children may need a quick break. Associates from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education have shown this in their research findings.
It's also vital for children to learn how to manage frustration with resistance from teachers and parents because there will be challenges in life no matter what.
2. Provide Time Management Tips To Kids
It's a fact that teaching time management skills to children as young as first graders can reduce the number of discipline problems they may display, such as forgetting homework or missing a turn in class.
Parents can plan the workday around school time with time management by setting times for meals and other activities. As per research, a student with a higher GPA is usually better at time management, so build as much structure and consistency as possible to make transitioning in and in-and-out of school more accessible.
You can accomplish this by giving your child an assignment and then asking them to estimate how long it will take to complete it. Ask how many minutes they think "x" would take to do, and provide feedback on their answer. Ensure you include opportunities for estimating tasks, revisiting estimation when your kid completes it and tracking progress. Hence, kids get to practice all at once--rather than doing each one separately sequentially.
3. Build Physical Activities And Exercise Time For Kids
Overuse of technology can lead to serious health issues even during Online Learning. You must encourage your child to move their body throughout the day, even if they're doing jumping jacks or taking a walk.
As per research, participating in moderate physical activity improves one's mental health, decreases anxiety levels, and increases happiness. That said, you shouldn't feel pressured that putting your child in an online school automatically means they have to be couch potatoes all the time.
The key is finding a balance between screen time and getting out there on the playground, so both adults and children can get the maximum benefits from their daily routines. Ultimately, it boils down to what works for your family- you should never let another parent's judgment about your chosen education route make you feel bad about yourself or your kid!
4. Let Them Interact With Their Friends On Video Calls
Your children are used to a lot of social contact at school, but they'll feel the effects after only being distanced from them for even just a few days.
They will feel isolated even after a few days without seeing their friends in person. Therefore, allow them to communicate online via video call. It is the closest they can get to seeing someone in person while still being safe for others and themselves.
There are many helpful ways to stay connected and improve your child's social interactions. One example is organizing a daily video chat with friends or using school discussion boards, real-time classroom conversations, email communication for help when you aren't there to assist them.
5. Have Open-ended Conversations With Your Kids
Talks with your children about their feelings will help them release stress and anxiety. Be patient, understanding, and not dismissive of their concerns, as they may have different ways to express what's bothering them. Acknowledge how challenging some situations can be for the child by saying something like, "I understand this is difficult."
Encourage them to talk about the issue by asking open-ended questions like, "Are you upset?" instead of avoiding it directly. Look at what is happening around them that could be causing the feeling of stress. So both parties can work through a solution together!
Talking about their feelings can help combat their anxiety because it alleviates the isolation that leads to stress and anxiety. Sharing in this way also gives hope for positive adjustment with more understanding, easier-going parents.
Make sure you hear and acknowledge their feelings for trust and security between parent/child relationships to grow stronger; assure them with compassion throughout this process.
Summing Up On Online Learning!
It's no secret that children are more interested in play and physical activity than sitting at a desk all day. They need to be able to move around, explore the world, and engage with others face-to-face. That's why it is so crucial for parents of school-age kids to build time into their schedules for these activities--especially if they will only have access during weekends or vacations from school.
If you want your child to succeed academically without sacrificing their well-being, make sure you allow them short breaks during online learning hours; provide time management tips, and encourage them to do physical activities.
But with all the stress and anxiety that comes with kids' learning, it's tough to know where to start. Our team at MakeShift has created a comprehensive list of tips for parents who want their children to stay engaged in online education but have trouble finding ways to manage expectations or keep them on track.
Whether you need help managing your child's time while they're working independently or just an occasional break from schoolwork—we've got you covered! Schedule a call with us to get started building the personalized study plan that works for both of you.
Which tip do you find most helpful? Let us know by commenting below!
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