Online learning has become the norm in a lot of households this past year, with schools electing to remain closed for the safety of their students, educators, and the public at large. This has led to parents getting more involved in their children’s education than ever before, with some even referring to themselves as “part-time teachers.”
There are many challenges associated with online learning, and parents are learning that teaching is no walk in the park — especially when conducted over a Zoom video call. Here are some difficulties that all teachers have had to overcome so far during this school year:
Parents who are taking on this responsibility will surely run into similar problems. As parents and teachers ourselves, we understand the struggle of juggling so many roles at once. To help you navigate online learning for your young students, we have created the following guide.
Adjust Your Schedule as Needed
A lot of your student’s success this school year will depend on your ability to work with them when they need help. Some subjects they will pick up easily while others will require dedicated time and effort; in this case, online learning is pretty similar to regular school. However, you have a greater responsibility for keeping your student on track. Make sure your schedule is flexible enough to help them when they require help.
Reduce or Remove Home Distractions
Home is a place where you can rest and relax after a long day, so it’s filled with distractions that can be detrimental to your child’s online learning. Keep in mind that complex subjects, particularly math, will become even more difficult if your child doesn’t provide 100 percent of his or her attention to learning.
Reduce or remove distractions by setting up a designated workspace that is quiet, comfortable, uncluttered, and, most importantly, free of distractions. It may also be helpful to implement a no-toy or no-phone policy, depending on your child’s age, until the schoolwork and homework are done.
Give Yourself and Your Young One a Break
Teachers spend a large part of their day figuring out new ways to make lessons fun and interactive because students process and retain information better when they are engaged. That’s why the educators at Singapore Maths Club use the Concrete, Pictorial, and Abstract (CPA) approach to make math come alive.
This is especially important for difficult subjects that students are known to struggle with, such as math. If your child is frustrated and miserable with his or her work, it’s okay to step away and take a short break.
Allow your child and yourself a short period of time to recharge your mental batteries, then return to the subject at hand with a fresh pair of eyes and a new attitude.
Determine Which Activities Work Best for Your Student
At Singapore Maths Club, we allow students to learn at their own pace to help them build a strong mathematical foundation. We also try to cater to a plethora of learning styles, so every student has the opportunity to thrive in their academic environment. We encourage parents to do the same at home!
Start by determining which activities work best for your student and work with them until they have a good understanding of the subject.
Provide Frequent & Positive Feedback
Finally, don’t forget to provide them with positive feedback! The world of online learning is a huge shock for your young one, and they will need time and encouragement to feel comfortable with it. Positive feedback plays a huge role in keeping them motivated for the next online school day. Give yourself a pat on the back while you’re at it — you deserve it!
Learn more tips and tricks or how our Singapore Math online curriculum has been revamped for your convenience by contacting us today!
