Virtual Learning Tips for Parents

I had the pleasure of speaking to Donna Sealy about ways parents can assist their children as online learning continues. Did you get a chance to read it? I hope you did!

I’ve included some parent tips from the article (and some additional ones) to help make this transition a bit easier. With many of us working from home and monitoring our children at the same time, it can be difficult.

1. Ensure your child is in a comfortable, quiet location, free from distraction or background noise.
2. Personalize the learning space. Stick your child’s work on walls, positive quotes, etc. to make the environment more learner-friendly.
3. Ensure your child has the necessary materials ready such as headphones, paper, pencils, passwords for platforms, etc.
4. Open programs/applications that will be used ahead of time.
5. Monitor your child as best as possible and avoid parenting during a session. 
6. Ensure you are clothed in case you are needed for assistance. 
7. Ensure telephone conversations cannot be heard. 
8. Have water nearby so they won’t need to interrupt or ask for an excuse from the session.
9. If none is available, create a schedule, similar to what they use at school, to help them to feel more comfortable learning from home.
10. Establish a routine. Have your child get up at the same time every day, get properly dressed, and eat a healthy breakfast.
11. Check-in with your child’s teachers as often as possible, especially if your child is having difficulty managing the online learning platform or staying on task.
12. Encourage movement. Since students will be in front of a device for most of the day, encourage them to use breaks which include physical activity.
13. Use a basic visual checklist of tasks to keep your child focused during the day.
14. Take care of yourself. We now have more roles than we can count. Mental health is important to have more energy and patience to cope with daily challenges.
15. Try to maintain a planner to keep track of all school activities and homework.
16. Provide positive feedback and encouragement. This goes a long way.
17. As best as possible remain positive. If you model positivity in this unwavering situation, your child will follow suit.

I know that these tips may not be all possible as everyone has a different situation to make the best of. Do what works for you but remember, the child is the most important person in this process, and we always want to do what’s best for the child.