Whether by choice or by necessity, more children in Pocatello are getting their education at home than ever before. If this is your child’s first experience with homeschooling or virtual learning, it can be a huge adjustment. Learning online brings not only a set of unique academic challenges but may exacerbate mental health or learning difficulties as well. Happily, there are many practical ideas that parents can do to make their homes more education-friendly for homeschooled children. By applying these useful tips, you can help set your child up for distance-learning success.
Create A Dedicated Learning Space
One of the most important things you can do to support a child’s learning at home is to set up not only a routine and a schedule but a physical workspace as well. Routines and structures are the critical elements of staying focused and doing well in a child’s schoolwork. But there are numerous distractions at home, most of which may interfere with your child’s work. Having a designated space used for schoolwork sends a strong signal to the brain and helps children be ready to start right when they sit down. Find a quiet room and have all of the supplies, power cords, and essential items your child will need for their school day. In this fashion, there will be no need to interrupt the flow of their lessons to scrounge for something they forgot.
Offer Support
Your son or daughter will probably need help managing their anxiety, loneliness, and sadness along with academic support. These are typical problems that children of all ages are facing more than ever right now. When building a virtual learning environment, do what you can to minimize stimuli around your child. Too much to hear, see, or react to can cause a heightened state of nervousness that can make your child become agitated or tire easily. Preferably, adjust noise levels, lighting, and other sensory aspects of your child’s learning environment until they are relaxed and associated. Simply providing headphones, a soft blanket, or other necessary things may help your child focus and get their work done without difficulty.
Focus on Wellness
Doing well academically is vital, but even more important is creating a successful learning environment that focuses on overall wellness. Both emotional and physical health is the foundation for effective learning. Parents can encourage wellness by creating balance, structure, and routine in the home and family members’ lives. When everyone is working and learning nearby, what affects one person will surely affect another individual. To encourage ownership of their situation and give them a sense of control, include your child in creating and setting up their virtual learning space. It will effectively reduce anxiety and build your child’s confidence. Your daily routine should also include time to relax and enjoy fun activities together and engage in physical activity. Whether you want to play sports at the park, go on a bike ride, or do yoga in the living room, incorporating physical and emotional wellness into your child’s day is a huge factor in helping them stay healthy and happy.
Every person is unique, and so no two learning environments may look alike. The important thing is to create the structure and space that your child needs to feel calm, supported, and engaged throughout their distance-learning experience.
Are you in the market for a Pocatello rental with space for virtual learning? Contact us online today or call us at 208-234-1000.
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