The secret is, ‘don’t let the learning stop! While your child is staying away from school, emphasize on a state of normalcy and support their learning at home. It is challenging but imperative that the child continues his learning and stays focused.
So, how do you ensure your child is productive and spirited? With the children spending all their time at home, making sharp distinction between different tasks through the day is crucial to provide a productive environment. You can try these engaging and effective methods to continue the learning process during quarantine.
Maintain A Routine
Children may consider this time as an extended holiday without the school time-table and teacher asking them to quiet down. To ensure your child’s routine is not disrupted, create a schedule and plan to meet the goals you have outlined. Peruse through your child’s academic schedule and write down the goals according to each subject. To make this simpler, follow the Rule of Three; wherein you make a do list and write three things that need to be completed. Take your child’s input while you make this list and give your child the satisfaction of crossing-out the tasks on completion. You can always adapt your schedule to your child's changing needs. Once the three tasks are completed, you can write the next three tasks for the day. These tasks can vary from learning a new Mathematics table to working on a school project.Keep the following points in mind while creating a schedule:
Spread out the activities specific to the time your child can focus best.
Make time and subject slots according to the school timetable.
Dedicate time for a break as per the recess.
You can also choose the digital route by using apps such as My Study Life and Timetable to track tasks, including homework, assignments, revision, and reminders.
Set Up A Learning Space
A designated learning space can help develop your child’s creativity, sharpen their focus, and increase their motivation to read and learn. The learning corner should be clean, quiet and comfortable, so your child can sit for longer periods of time, without distractions such as the television, mobile phones and toys. Adding some interesting artworks, colorful stationery, various books and a plant can make it a fun and personal space for the child to spend time willingly.Switch ‘Working Out’ To ‘Exercise play’
To make exercise fun for children, think of ‘working out,’ as ‘exercise play’. Exercise games are a great way to get the entire family to take a break from technology, spend quality time and stay healthy without any fitness equipment or large outdoor spaces. You can create an obstacle course with the furniture in your apartment, play a ‘Balloon’ ball game where you try to keep it off the ground or just play catch to burn some calories. Get your children excited about learning a new trick like a handstand, a new dance routine on YouTube tutorials or simply, just turn on some music and dance with your children.Going up and down the stairs in your apartment is also a great way to get your blood pumping. Follow up exercise play with some simple stretches and focused breathing to keep the muscles strong and healthy.
Learn Something New
The internet is an open door to learning. You can download various apps and learn something interesting every day. If your child is learning Spanish, you can make it fun by watching a Spanish movie together. Cooking is another great way to bring fun into a science class. You can talk about the breakdown of carbohydrates or the process of digestion of food as you prepare a meal together. If your child has an affinity towards technology, encourage your child to create a website or learn to code. Incorporate fun writing challenges in your child’s learning schedule. Challenge your child to write a Sci-fi story or give a topic for an essay, for example, what makes him/her unique. Encourage them to take up a new hobby like indoor gardening, scrapbooking, learning a new language and so on. Although we cannot go out, there is something on the internet for people of all interests. So, take this opportunity to learn and teach a skill or two.Celebrate Your Productivity
One of the most important tricks to maintain academic discipline at home is by allowing a downtime of fun and socialising with friends. Children tend to get restless when asked to stay indoors for long periods and without meeting their playmates and friends. Encourage their productivity by incentivizing it with a video call/face time with their friends and cousins so that they can share the highlights or their day and celebrate their goals. Acknowledge their efforts and applaud their progress as this will motivate them to keep on their learning journey.The appeal of learning at home revolves around flexibility. You do not need fancy equipment or a lot of time, you just need to weave it into your schedule effectively and make it fun. School should not be the only place where learning takes place. When the child is at home, the parents must also take on the role of a teacher in addition to being the caregiver. If your child is struggling with a particular task/subject, make suggestions and assist them, but try to let them do it independently. If you do not know the solution, collaborate with your child to find the answer.
Encouraging children to take control of their own learning can will them proactive and independent individuals. In trying times such as now when the external factors are beyond our control, we can only take charge of how productively we spend this time and prepare for the future. So, whether you are a parent, a student, a teacher, a retired professional, a home maker or an entrepreneur, ‘Do not stop learning!’. Stay curious and stay safe.
Written By JBCN International School