For many children across the world, school looks a bit different this year. As of April 2020, 8 in 10 parents said their child was learning remotely. Some children are doing all virtual learning. Others are doing a hybrid program that allows them some time at home, some time in school. Some are back to school in-person full-time, with precautions in place.

 

No matter what route you and your child have decided when it comes to school this year, there is one thing that should never change; your encouragement.

 

Your child might be feeling a bit uneasy with the state of the world, even if they don’t know how to express it. While it’s important to reassure them and comfort them, there are also things you can do to help them succeed and grow this year, overcoming whatever obstacles are thrown at them.

 

With that in mind, let’s look at five ways you can help your child to find success and deal with the uncertainties of the world around them by staying focused on a specific path.

 

1. Develop a Routine

 

One of the best things you can do for your child is to adopt a daily routine for them. Whether they’re learning at home or at school, every day should relatively be the same.

 

That means they should wake up at the same time, have a nutritious breakfast, get cleaned up, etc. Every child’s routine will be a bit different. The most important thing is that it’s consistent.

 

It’s equally important to have a routine they can follow at night. Doing so will help them to get in a more peaceful mindset for sleeping, and they’ll likely go to bed easier and have a better night’s rest.

 

2. Make Sure They Are Healthy

 

A good rule of thumb is to take your child to their doctor every year before school starts. An annual physical will help you to track your child’s growth. But, it’s also a preventative measure that will ensure you they’re not sick and that there is nothing to worry about.

 

It is also worth it to take your child to the eye doctor. Children who complain about headaches or who have trouble focusing in school may actually be experiencing issues with their eyes. An eye appointment can help to determine if your child needs glasses. If they do, you’re sure to find frames they love at Eyeglasses.com. The right frames can help them to get over any insecurities they might be dealing with, boost their confidence, and allow them to showcase their creativity.

 

3. Find Ways to Make Learning More Hands-On

 

If your child is doing virtual learning this year, they might be struggling to connect to the concepts they’re covering. One way you can help them to connect those dots is by taking some of the concepts and applying them to real-world situations.

 

For example, if your child is struggling with math, have them help you cook or bake in the kitchen. Measurements, temperatures, and weights all have to do with math and your child will feel a sense of accomplishment in creating something with you.

 

Don’t be afraid to conduct your own science experiments with your child, too! It’s so important, as a parent, to be involved in what your child is learning. It can be especially helpful if they’re learning remotely and need a little extra guidance in order to fully understand what they may not be able to learn from behind a screen.

 

4. Let Them Be a Kid

 

Studies have shown that children and teenagers are especially susceptible to stress and uncertainty in extreme situations. Well, what’s more extreme than having to focus on school in the middle of a pandemic?

 

One way you can combat that stress is to allow them to be a kid. Encourage play. Let them spend time outdoors and be physically active. Even if you aren’t comfortable with them spending time around larger groups of friends, encourage healthy, socially-distanced activities with the people they enjoy spending time with.

 

Some days, letting them be a kid might look like watching their favorite movie on the couch. Other days, it might mean going to the bark and burning off some steam. The truth is, adults could use some of that childlike freedom right now, too. So, allow yourself to “be a kid” sometimes, too! Children tend to pick up on tension in a household quickly. By finding ways to ease some of your own stress, you can actually end up helping your child to relax.

 

5. Connect With Their Teachers

 

Whether your child is learning virtually or in-person, one of the best things you can do is connect with their teachers and find out what you can do to help your child succeed this year. It’s important that everyone is on the same page and working together, rather than clashing.

 

In addition to meeting with your child’s teachers (even virtually) at the beginning of the year, be sure to check in with them throughout the semester to ask questions. Learning about how your child is doing, not just academically but socially, can help you to make adjustments and encourage them in different ways.

 

For example, if your child seems to be falling behind or struggling, it may have nothing to do with their intelligence or ability to learn. Instead, they may be holding on to more stress and anxiety from this pandemic than you realize. That can trigger you to open a line of communication with them to talk about how they’re feeling and what can be done to ease their worries.

 

Although things this year will be a bit different for most children around the world, they will all keep learning in some capacity. As a parent, encouraging them and helping them to succeed is a big job. It’s even bigger this year than ever before. But, it also may be more important this year than ever.

 

Keep these tips in mind to help your child succeed, and take comfort in knowing this current situation won’t last forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post is a collaboration.

#Family Children education home schooling Learning remote learnig virtual learning