Having your child at home to learn is a great chance to introduce them to the concept of independent learning. While many people were thrown into this because of the past few years, there are ways that you can turn it into a positive learning environment on your own.
If you’re looking for ways to help your child succeed with at-home learning, here are some simple tips you can implement immediately. The more you can do, the easier the learning path will happen – and they’ll have fun with it, too!
Have a Space In the Home Just for Learning
If you try to have them set up camp in the living room to learn, they’ll find ways to be distracted all the time.
For them to be successful in learning at home, create a space where they can be all by themselves so that they can focus.
This can be as simple as a space in another room or giving up the office during the day for them to learn in peace.
Ask them what they want to study
Include them in what they can and will study. While they may not be able to control the actual curriculum required by state laws, they can have an input on some of the materials, books, and trips taken.
Letting them help to decide what to study is the perfect way to get them engaged and interested in the learning aspect. If they pick something, they’re interested in it and want to learn about it.
This will help you figure out their interests and give them the chance to be super curious about learning on their own. Make sure to also provide them with some Reading Comprehension Workbooks that can cater to their interests and reading level. It’s going to be easier for them to retain information and stay engaged if the material is interesting and relevant to their own lives.
This then means that it will keep their focus as well!
Allow breaks when needed
Nothing is more stressful than sticking to a rigid schedule. One of the beautiful aspects of learning from home is that you have a schedule that can be a bit flexible.
If they need breaks, let them take breaks as long as they have a basic understanding of what they need to get done and when they can easily start and stop along the day as much or as little as needed.
Some kids may get everything done at once, while others may need more time throughout the day. There isn’t just one learning method that works, so have fun with the process and change things up as needed.
Use online resources and tools to help
So many online resources are available for the kids to use! From quizzes to games and educational videos to online converters. They can find tools and strategies to make learning more accessible and fun.
When there are so many great resources, why not use them? It’s a simple way to help them through some of the more complex topics to give them the tools to make it easier to understand.
Give them the option to start and stop as needed
Ask them when they feel that starting their day is best. Give them a parameter of when they can start and stop, and then see how it goes.
This will give them the freedom to make decisions and hold themselves accountable.
Set times for things to be done and give them the space to learn
Don’t hover over the kids! They’re taking the initiative to want to learn from home, so they will also be able to start the learning process.
If you feel like you constantly have to monitor everything they’re doing, this is defeating the purpose and makes it harder for them and you.
Make sure they know what is expected of them to get done during the day, and then take a step back and let them do their work. This will help them be less stressed and make headway on their schooling.
Don’t try to do everything all at once
Take a deep breath. You might need to compare yourselves to all the other families out there that have been learning at home for years. Don’t do that!
Instead, focus on your home and what you need to happen, and start there. You can work through the process and gain confidence and momentum, just like the kids.
Involve your child in the learning process
This is probably the biggest way to get your child to enjoy learning at home. Ask them questions. Gauge their interests. Have them be a part of the planning process.
This will pick their brains and make them actively aware of everything that is expected of them daily.
Don’t be strict about where they study
If they want to go outside for the day and study, let them! A little bit of sunshine is a great way to boost moods!
You can also spend the day at the local library or walk to the park for a quick walk. Learning at home gives options that other kids don’t get in a traditional school setting.
Talk about a huge bonus!
Let them do things that they enjoy along the way
Schooling isn’t supposed to be just boring all the time. Some days, it will be – that’s no secret. But when the kids are at home, they find things that they’ll love inside and outside the home.
It can be as simple as planning a few field trips or taking them to a museum of their choice!
As you can see, home learning is a great way to teach your child independence while ensuring that they stay on track with their learning. A few simple ground rules set in place are a great way to produce a learning atmosphere that everyone can get behind and be successful with.
And remember, if you need to pivot! You can easily change your actions and do that repeatedly if you need to. Nothing is stopping you but you! Have fun with the learning process – and it will all work fine!
