Edmonton Islamic Academy Here are a few tips to help families manage the sudden demand for at-home learning.
#1 Know your kid. Strong learners can do even better independently, but weaker learners may really struggle. Online learning is really hard for a lot of people. It requires a lot of self-regulated learning skills. Different kids will do best in different learning environments. If your child learns better in groups, try a Zoom study session with a fellow classmate. The older kids are, the longer they may be able to work on their own. And remember, resources are going to become available for students who need them — you will not be doing this all by yourself, your child’s class teacher is here to support you and your child.
#2 Set up designated space and time for learning. Kids may need to move around during the day, but it is recommended to have one or two designated areas for learning. Have your kids pack up their materials into a basket so they can put them aside when they're finished. Same goes for time. While it's good to have a general daily routine, you can also be flexible. It's OK to let your kids sleep in a little later than usual — research shows many of our children and teens are chronically sleep-deprived. Plus, most homeschoolers don't teach seven hours straight a day. Shoot for two to four good academic hours instead. And don't forget to get outside — learning happens outdoors too.
#3 Set up a schedule for each of your children. Consistency helps students focus, so start with a daily schedule. Skilled teachers often begin the school year with a great deal of structure, because kids learn most easily when they know what to expect. A schedule also allows parents and other caregivers to share duties. By building in breaks, choice and a range of activities, parents can tailor plans to meet children’s individual needs. But be flexible and keep your child’s experience and personality in mind and be ready to set up daily plans while adapting to what works well.
#4 Listen to your child. If they say, “I don’t get it,” or, “I’m tired and I can’t do this,” hear them out rather than telling them what to do next. Once you’ve heard how they’re feeling, ask them to read the directions aloud, or point you to the section that’s confusing. This will show them you are listening and that you are there to help them make progress. Parents with children of multiple ages have the extra challenge of balancing multiple remote-learning plans. Once in teacher mode, try staggering school start times, setting up multiple learning areas, and matching the noise level of different projects so everyone is loud at the same time.
#5 Give simple, clear instructions. When teaching, wait for eye contact before giving verbal instructions to kids. After you’re done, ask them to restate the main points of what you’ve said. Get to the child’s eye level to help communication, and limit verbal directions to two steps for preschoolers and three steps for older kids. The remote-learning situation will test everyone’s patience, so remember to take time for yourself.
#6 Structure Activities and Learning Structure academic activities around kids’ attention spans. Most elementary-school kids can work on assignments for around 25 minutes before they need a break. Use a timer or time-management software to arrange breaks, which can also become transitions to new tasks. The remote-learning situation will test everyone’s patience, so remember to take time for yourself.
#7 Reward your child. Avoid online videos or electronic free time till the end of the day. These make good rewards, but can be distracting midday. For preschoolers, try a clean-up song or talking through the next activity to make transitions smoother. A typical school day rewards students with opportunities to show independence, help friends and overcome challenges. The shift to learning from home still gives children the chance to develop autonomy, practice empathy and use their skills — particularly when parents set up structures, then stand back to let kids shine.
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