Online learning often has its own challenges and opportunities for teachers, parents, and students. During virtual learning, students rely on their parents for support. With the establishment of Royal Institute’s new online school, Royal Institute Smart Academy (RISA), it is crucial that parents understand how to assist their children during their time of study.
The tips provided below can assist parents in better preparing for some of the more practical aspects of home learning.
- Minimize distractions
One method is to keep distractions to a minimum because online classes have a schedule, and parents should try to keep distractions to a minimum during this time. There would be fewer distractions for youngsters if there was less bustle in the house.
- Have a designated studying area
Having a designated learning place also helps students focus better on online school. As the usual learning area for occasional homework available in some households may not be used for extended periods of time, building a physical space dedicated to school-related activities would be beneficial to the child. It should ideally be peaceful, free of distractions, and have a stable internet connection.
- Create routines instead of schedules
In particular, parents who create routines rather than schedules support their children to develop positive habits. Making a flexible schedule and reviewing how it is working allows them to improve. Parents may break up their day into manageable chunks and help their children get up, dressed, and ready to study on time.
- Stay in contact with teachers
Teachers will primarily interact on a daily basis using online platforms and virtual learning environments, therefore, parents must maintain communication with their children’s teachers. This ensures that parents are aware of their child’s growth and are aware of any potential difficulties or successes.
- Encourage physical activity
Physical activity and exercise should also be encouraged. With digital exercises and online instructors, parents may encourage their children to exercise “alone together.” They may establish new fitness goals and plan hands-on, life-ready activities that keep their hands occupied, their feet moving, and their minds engaged. Allowing the youngsters to assist out around the house with chores or other jobs is one simple approach to do this.
- Serve as a support system
Parents should also provide emotional care and support at all times. It has introduced monotony into the lives of youngsters since there are no outdoor activities, no interaction with peers, and no pals to have fun with. Parental support is effective in keeping children motivated in this situation. They may spend more time with their children, engage in their favorite hobbies, and pay more attention to them.
- Allow interaction with peers
Likewise, parents should enable their children to connect with others in a safe and loving manner. When kids start missing their friends and teachers, the joy of school being closed fades rapidly. As a result, parents may assist their children in maintaining touch with friends via social media. However, keep an eye on the child’s social media use, since screen time has grown due to virtual learning. Parents should urge their children to strike a balance when it comes to screen time. This may be accomplished by adding their preferred hobbies into their free time plans. Also, tell the youngster to be kind and considerate in their interactions.
- Start and end of the day check-ins
Parents can check in with their children at the start and end of the day because communication with the kid is vital for their engagement. Given that not everyone copes well with self-management, organization, and motivating themselves to work; parents should make time to interact with their children and offer their support on a regular basis.
- Schedule times for reflections
Establishing reflection times also allows both the parent and child to discuss progress and assess the home learning environment. For example, what learning obstacles have been presented? How can these issues be resolved? Taking care of these difficulties will help improve the child’s overall virtual learning experience.
Online learning needs a greater motivation than traditional classroom learning. As more children join RISA, it is critical that parents understand how to handle and be informed of what is going on in their child’s online school. As a result, parental participation is essential for RISA students. Nonetheless, keep in mind that what counts most is that the children are happy, healthy, and motivated!
To learn more on how we can support your child’s online learning journey at RISA, call us +94 77 988 9848
By: Shenali Benjamin and Neha Hanarasinghe