Parenting Ways To Support Learning At Home
19th May 2021
Parents are the first teachers in the life of their children and home is their first classroom.
As teachers and parents are facing the wrath of COVID-19 and bearing its effects, supporting and encouraging learning at home and keeping a normal routine for kids at home is very important, especially during sudden school closures. As schools and teachers are working diligently towards creating distance learning plans, parents are facing many uncertainties managing work life and basic needs, and simultaneously trying to keep their kids engaged in learning at home.
In wake of the existing pandemic situation, you can find several resources for parents to support learning at home. There are certain non-profit organizations that equip parents to support learning at home.
In addition to these resources, here are five ways parents can adapt to help their stay child on track when school is closed:
1. Focus on Key Skills
Keep a track of your child’s progress and evaluate their math and reading skills through the readiness app. The app connects you to videos, activities, and more to encourage learning at home and on your phone!
2. Keep a Routine
Create a daily chart with your child that includes math and reading as well as other activities like drawing, dancing or singing. There is no pressure to perform the activities in a perfect manner. You can take a look at the examples that parents and teachers have been sharing online.
3. Turn Off the News and Talk
Switch off the television news which can scare the children at home. Make your child feel safe at home and ensure them that life will turn normal soon. Enquire about their mental and physical health from time to time. You can ask them to write or draw their feelings.
4. Stay Connected
Always stay connected with the teachers and parents of other students of your school to work out things in difficult times. Moreover, your school will definitely create a plan for digital learning. Never be afraid to ask for help.
5. Enjoy Family Time
Involve yourself in activities. Cook a new or favourite recipe, play songs, go through your old family photos and write a story about them. These things will help your child have fun and learn new things as well.
When parents do not have a solution to a problem, they can practice problem solving with their children. By working out something together, they might help in improving their child’s practical problem-solving skills, which shape the way they approach future challenges.
While there is no doubt that we are facing the most difficult time of our lives, think of it as an opportunity to do better by learning educational skills from a recognized teacher training institute. With so much additional time at home, have a conversation with your child about their interests, strengths and where they might need help and support.
One positive thing you might derive from this situation is the involvement of parents in the life of their children. Knowing this, we can always work with the teachers to support learning at home more holistically. It is also a scope to develop a good parent-teacher relationship.
