Due to COVID-19, schools have closed and went online. Because of this, the majority of children have undergone distance learning. For parents, keeping your children motivated - in trying times such as this - during their remote learning is essential to their success. Motivation means making sure that they are interested, involved, and confident in their learning. As a parent, your role is a vital part of providing your children with encouragement and feedback.
To know more about the things that you can do - as a parent or a guardian - in ensuring that your children are motivated, here are some tips.
1. Dialogue with your children and discuss their weekly learning schedule and assigned tasks.
Distance or remote learning is way different from the actual face-to-face learning that your children experience in their usual classroom setting. Because of this, they might be overwhelmed with loads of lessons and assigned tasks. That is why you need to help them in managing their time and help them set their tasks effectively.
2. Set weekly goals with your children, encourage them, and celebrate their accomplishments.
Throughout their online discussions, your children may feel bored and exhausted - which is normal. Hence, coming up with something to encourage them to continue their tasks is a must. We can all agree that a simple gift or some sweets can surely do the job, yes?
3. Establish a supportive learning environment at home and peer-to-peer support among siblings.
Since everyone is at home, and busy with their way of passing their time, it is important to help your children to communicate with each other effectively.
4. Invite your children to share their ideas, challenge them by asking questions, and respond to their proposals.
Apart from your children's online learning, you can also be a part-time instructor. Involve them by asking them their ideas about certain topics within their lessons. Be as fun and as creative as possible!
5. As they study, engage your children by participating in their learning and encouraging their creativity.
Look out for the little ones. Help them in building their ideas by supporting them and making them feel relevant.
6. Engage your children in topics they are interested in to customize their learning.
Listening and understanding what your children want is essential in their learning process. Ask them what they want to know.
7. Allow breaks during learning hours and ensure time for play and fun activities.
We all get tired. Let them have their break from time to time. After all, they are just kids. They need to play and have fun!
8. Address their learning challenges, support them in building on their strengths, and constructively assess their progress.
Look out for your children. See if they need help with something. And if they do seek help, help them, and explain it to them respectfully and constructively. Do not humiliate them.
9. Cater to their social and emotional needs.
Learning is indeed vital in your children's career. However, their social and emotional needs matter as well. Ask them if they are okay. Assess their behavior. They are your children, be there for them.
