Many parents are choosing to switch their kids over to virtual learning because of the pandemic. However, learning from home is a completely different experience than learning in a school setting. How can you help your kids adapt?

We gathered some tips to help you get your kids settled into their online classes. Let us get started!

1. Be Sure Your Kid’s Braces are Up to Date

If your child is going through orthodontic treatment, be sure that you are still taking them to check-ups as often as needed. Uncomfortable braces can be distracting while your kid is trying to learn.

If you missed an appointment due to the lockdown, be sure that you schedule a new one soon. Pediatric braces need to be adjusted and we want to be sure that the teeth are moving into place correctly. This will help your kid feel more comfortable and allow them to focus better.

2. Keep a Consistent Schedule

While you may not need to start as early as a public school does, you will want to be sure your child stays on a consistent schedule. You can go over your schedule plan with your kid and decide on something that works for both of you.

You can make a poster of the schedule to hang near a desk- your kid would also enjoy decorating it! Chalk or whiteboards, calendars, and sticky notes work just as well. You might consider buying a planner that has room for a daily schedule in it.

With younger kids, you might want to cover the schedule briefly every morning before you start. This can help them remember what needs to be done at what times. Older kids can stay on track easier.

Keeping a consistent schedule helps your child adapt better to virtual learning since they know what to expect and when they need to be in “school mode”. This also helps you plan their day around their scheduled classes.

3. Make a “School Zone”

You will want to have a specific area dedicated to school, this helps your child focus on learning. It could be a separate room, a desk, or any other quiet area. You will want to keep all their school materials such as pencils or notebooks in this space as well.

If your child has to wander away to find their materials, they may become distracted by doing other things around the house. You want to provide them with an environment that makes it easy to focus on their classwork.

4. Include Breaks

Be sure that you include breaks into their daily schedule. Studies have shown that taking short 5-minute breaks while working on projects helps increase productivity and memory. Plus, if your child feels stuck while doing homework, a break can help them with problem-solving.

Short walks are a great way to help wake up their brain and keep them motivated to learn during the school day.

5. Work on Homework Together

Just like with in-person school, you will want to sit down and help your child with any homework they receive. With older kids, let them know that they can come and ask you questions about their work at any time.

Sometimes just hearing a different person explain what you are confused about can be enough to help you understand better. You will want to include some homework time into their daily schedules as well.

6. Spend Quality Time Together

If you are working from home, consider working in the same room as your child while they do homework. This can be a great time to ask them about how they feel doing virtual learning. They will also feel comforted seeing someone else in their family working from home, just like they are.

At the end of every school day, you will want to set aside time to spend quality time together. You can also use this time to talk about what went well with their classes today and what could have gone better. Planning for movies or game nights can also help them deal with the stresses that come with school.

7. Search for Exciting Experiences

Sitting at a computer all day can be boring, but this is harder for kids to handle than adults. Be sure that they have time for exciting activities that they enjoy. Anything outdoors can improve learning capabilities and help improve their sleep quality.

For example, you could try gardening, sports, or even have a picnic in the backyard. Your child will appreciate having a change in the environment after their school day is over.

8. Make a “Break Room”

It does not need to be a whole room, but you want to create a space designated for your child to relax during the day. You want them to be able to take a break if they get stressed- this will help them feel more comfortable with virtual learning.

This space should be quiet and have comforting items. This might include stuffed animals, their favorite books, blankets, pillows, or bean bags.

Visually stimulating objects can be a great change of pace after looking at a computer screen for hours. Lava lamps, night lights, light strands, and fun posters would be enjoyable. Plus, you might want to include a radio, speaker, or another way for your kid to listen to relaxing music.

Conclusion

Virtual learning does not need to be hard. As long as you ensure your child has a dedicated learning space and a consistent schedule, they will be able to adapt much easier. Providing them with their school materials in a convenient place where they can find them easily helps too.

Be sure to talk to your kid about how they are doing in school. If they are stressed or having issues, you can take steps to help them adapt. If your child has braces in NJ, be sure to stop by our office to make sure the treatment is going smoothly. Tooth pain can be very distracting and hinder learning.