How to Make Online Education Easier for Kids at Home

Posted on May 15, 2020

If you find your kids suddenly at home and feel completely overwhelmed, there may be a few things you can do to make the situation a bit easier to handle. The lack of a daily routine and schedule is hard on everyone, especially school-age children who are accustomed to having the hours between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. organized for them.

Here are a few tips to make online education easier for kids at home. By setting realistic goals, creating new ways to engage your kids in learning and setting up a functional workspace, you can make this transitional time a little easier for everyone.

1. Set up a Workspace

We all need a designated physical space where we can focus on what we’re doing and nothing else. Working on schoolwork in bed or lounging on the couch might be tempting, but it probably won’t last long. Even if you live in a small space, set up a corner of the house for each child to work.

2. Invest in Headphones

There’s no need to get fancy gear here, just a simple pair of headphones will do. Headphones will make it much easier for children to communicate with their class without disrupting the rest of the family.

3. Stick to a Routine

When the hours are not organized, it may be tempting to wake up late, work leisurely, take a long lunch break or two, and find yourself trying to get everything done before 9 p.m. Do your best to help kids organize their time into sections. It could be as simple as 30 minutes before lunch or setting an assignment deadline by 2 p.m.

4. Create a Family Calendar

Many classrooms rely on a visual calendar to help kids understand what day of the week it is, or when important assignments are due. Now that everyone is working and learning from home, it’s essential to create a family calendar so everyone is on the same page.

5. Organize Downtime

Every routine should also include downtime or unscheduled free time. This may be for meals, household chores or just play, but make sure to put it on the schedule. Working on schoolwork outside of the classroom requires a lot of personal motivation, so be sure to balance the hard work with some well-earned leisure time.

6. Make up a Reward System

School at home can’t be all work and no play. In fact, studies show that productive people work best when they have a tangible reward, whether that be something that occurs upon completion of an assignment or meeting a deadline. If there is a prize for hard work, they may find it easier to complete projects on time.

7. Get Moving

Many families find themselves stuck inside right now, with limited access to the outdoors. Kids who may have played sports every day currently lack that social interaction and physical movement. Exercise isn’t just good for our physical shape, it’s also integral for our mental energy and mood. Kids aren’t supposed to sit all day, so make sure they have time to run around or do some jumping jacks.

8. Diversify Learning Materials

If possible, ask teachers or school administrators about what learning options are available. If your child has a learning disability, there may be extra accommodations available. Make sure to contact your school to confirm. If you find that many of your child’s learning materials are in one format, see if you can find relevant content in a different medium. For example, if they are memorizing countries around the world, print out a map where they can color in different nations.

9. Turn on Some Music

The right kind of music is proven to improve your mood and enhance focus. Pick out study music that can keep kids entertained while they work. Additionally, look into audiobooks for downtime. They can be a great alternative to screen time for kids who aren’t interested in looking at books during non-school hours.

10. Choose a Creative Outlet

With so many resources out there, no kid should be bored while stuck at home. From subscription boxes to storytelling videos, there are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained during this time. There are several online resources available that will also bolster their school learning, with websites offering everything from computer coding to learning to knit.

Helping your Kids Learn Online at Home

Without any time to prepare, schools around the world are now operating remotely, with kids attending classes online. Whatever the age, it can be tricky to transition from a traditional school setting to an online setup. For parents and children alike, staying focused in a new environment isn’t always easy. With a few simple tricks, you can make this time a little easier for your kids, your family and yourself.