The COVID-19 pandemic is changing education, and it could stay that way under what people are calling as the new normal. Schools and universities are opting out physical classes and, instead, launching or enhancing their online learning platforms.
Distance education is nothing new, but under unique circumstances, an unprecedented number of students and educators from all over the world will be going into cyberspace for the next academic term. When it was an option before, technology is now being forced on everyone who wants to continue their education.
Meanwhile, an estimated 1.2 billion children are out of the classrooms, and teaching is being done remotely or on digital platforms. This shift also means parents are becoming actively involved in their children’s schooling.
Having to juggle working from home, doing chores, and now helping their kids with homeschooling, this can be too much. What can parents do to manage this, and how can they help their children optimize their home learning?
Create a set schedule.
Online classes can be in the form of self-paced studying or the teacher having a schedule when they will go online for sessions. You can’t do anything about the teacher’s schedule, but you can create your own when it’s time to review your child or help with their homework.
The structure is vital with homeschooling. You can either continue the session after the teacher finished their lessons, so the information is still fresh in your child’s head. Or you can let them rest and have a study time later. But strictly stick to the schedule so that your child will look forward to it.
Use complementary educational tools.
Don’t rely only on the school-provided textbooks. You can use supplementary materials to make it more interesting and reinforce what they’re learning. Educational books, videos, and toys are readily available in online bookstores.
Choosing materials that match your child’s grade or comprehension level is also essential to help them stay focused.
Make it a family affair.
It doesn’t have to be the job of one parent. You can make this whole homeschooling thing a family affair. During your child’s review or study time, ask your child what they learned from the day’s lesson. If there are things they don’t understand, then let the whole family pitch in. Doing this makes your children feel everyone is invested in their education.
Study time can be your bonding time; it doesn’t have to be a stressful chore you have to deal with every day.
Make time to play.
Moving learning from the classroom and into the home is also stressful for your child. They’re used to a separation between school and home life; add to that, they’ll miss socializing with their classmates.
Don’t push the child too much when studying or doing their homework. Give them room to play and work on their creativity. Or ask them if there are other things they want to learn about. That is an opportunity to lead your child to self-learning as well.
Everyone’s trying to cope and make the best of the current situation. Your children’s education is a delicate and crucial aspect that you shouldn’t ignore. Being involved in their education will help them quickly adjust from the traditional classroom to distance schooling.
