5 Ways to Help Your Child Adapt to Virtual School
With social distancing expected to be necessary for 2021 (and even possibly beyond), measures to keep people apart aren’t going to go away any time soon. That includes virtual school.
Virtual school has become a popular mode of learning, with classes conducted from a distance. Often this involves children sitting in front of a computer using some sort of video chat software such as Zoom, with someone teaching the class from their own home.
Although it’s an innovative solution for distance learning, some children might struggle to adapt to this new way of life. If your child is having some issues, here’s how you can help.
1. Keep Them in a Routine
It’s possible that they might have a little more flexibility with their schedule now. Some teachers will pre-record lessons and have the children watch them and complete an assignment, rather than teaching them live.
If this is the case, it’s important to keep your child in a routine they’re familiar with.
No playing video games or watching TV during usual school hours, only to start the lesson at 8 pm! Keeping them in a routine will help their adjustment.
2. Hire a Virtual Tutor
Just like if they were struggling with school in real life, a tutor can be a great resource. More and more tutors are operating virtually, and they cover a wide variety of subjects, ages, and levels.
Whatever your child is struggling with, there’s probably a tutor out there that can help.
3. Help Them Plan Time With Friends
Even children need an appropriate work-life balance. If they spend most of their time in virtual learning school and the rest of it on their own, they’re bound to find the adjustment difficult.
Help them plan time with friends. Even if it’s not safe to hang out with them in person, showing them how to use software for social time as well as online learning could be a huge benefit.
Your child can video chat with their friends, and even play some games during their downtime.
4. Create a No-Distractions Zone
If you have a corner of your house that you can carve out for them while they’re on their online learning platforms, that’s ideal. It should be their ‘no distractions’ zone — a place where they go to learn and leave when they’re done with school for the day.
This will ensure they don’t get the lines between school and fun blurred and can relax when they’re away from that zone.
5. Encourage Them to Share Their Concerns About Virtual School
You should always encourage your child to share any concerns they have and explain what they’re struggling with. Don’t shut them down or snap at them out of stress — hear them out and see if you can come up with a solution together.
This is an adjustment for you both, after all!
They Can Do This!
Encourage your child above all else! Let them know they can do this and have faith in yourself in helping them to adjust. Virtual school is always going to feel strange at first, but with the right tools and support, their education won’t suffer.
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