Welcome to 2020, the era of homeschooling and Distance Learning. It's new, it's different and we #know it can be a challenge for both parents and students as they struggle to get used to this new method of learning.
Distance Learning can be tough, but we have some advice for you as to how to make your child's study time as productive as possible.
TOP TIPS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING:
1. Maintain a Routine. If your child is a young Distance Learner, make sure they keep up with their regular routine, just as they would when going to school. This includes having a set #bedtime and #wakeup time. Make sure your child has eaten a healthy breakfast and is ready to start with their online classes.
2. Build A Good Relationship With Your Child's Class Teacher.
As a distance learning student, your child will only be seeing their teacher face to face several times a day, so it’s important to build a positive relationship where you can. Don't be afraid to ask for help and communicate to your teacher your:
· Tell them your learning goals
· Contact them when you need help
· Thank them for their support
· Listen to their feedback and act on it so you don’t make the same mistakes
· Let them know #inadvance if you can’t attend a tutorial
· Ask questions and engage in tutorials/discussions
"When there's a hill to climb, don't think waiting will make it smaller."
3. Create A Good Study Environment
While we recommend studying in different places sometimes, you child will need a dedicated study space where they can complete their tasks. Some of them may already have a desk area, others might not. Try buying a fold up chair and you have a desk that can almost be removed when you’re not using it.
Organise the desk your child is using. Get a nice cushion for your chair, a lamp and some cool stationery. You could even print some photos or motivational quotes to stick around your desk.
Keep your desk as clear as possible so you can easily find everything you need.
4. Be Available to Help, But Don't Get in the Way.
DK Schoolhouse has been putting supporting information online for how the parents can be a student's guide and facilitator.
If your child is finding a particular task difficult, be available to make suggestions and answer questions, but try to let them do things themselves as much as possible.
If you don’t know the answer, work with your child to discover a solution. Let your child, where possible, self regulate – that means take control of their own learning and not rely on you.
5. Get Creative With Your Child's Learning.
Think creatively about the activities your children and can do when confined to the home. Opportunities for exercise might include a mini bootcamp in the backyard, an obstacle course through the house, physically active video games (dance, fitness, boxing), or kid-friendly dance and kids yoga classes on YouTube. Note: DK Schoolhouse posts a #lot of activities and resources on our social media platforms that parents can use.
The bottom line is, children are strongly motivated by achievable challenges. Think creatively about challenges you can do together with your child, and #dontforget to access our list of free resources and activities.