What are the challenges that you and your child encounter during distance learning?
For some children, it can be challenging to maintain focus and stay engaged as they learn inside your home-slash-classroom-slash-quarantine place.
The good thing is, with your support, they can still thrive amid challenges. You can ensure that they would participate well during their classes and accomplish their distance learning tasks.
To help keep your child focused and engaged, check out these simple yet helpful tips from online educator and Beyond Small Talk guest, coach Lyqa Maravilla.
Sit by your children in the same room
Just like how children want to see their parents while having classes at school, they will also be at peace knowing that there is an adult who looks after them while they learn from home.
“If the kids know that there is an adult supervising them – even though they are busy with their own tasks – can keep them from dozing off or not paying attention to their teachers,” coach Lyqa explains.
The Family and Children’s Agency agrees that being around your child is a huge help. Also, it would be helpful if you start and finish the day with a simple check-in with your child. Ask them about their learnings, schedule for the day, and resources or help needed.
Set up a reward system for your child
Keeping your child engaged in lessons for several hours a day is not easy. But with a bit of effort and a sprinkle of creativity, you can encourage them to stay on track.
Coach Lyqa suggests that you reward your child for completing their distance learning tasks and assignments.
“If they participate in their online classes, if they follow their schedule, it would be nice if they can trade it for points. It could be an extra screen time for movies or other activities as a reward. That way, they have additional incentives and something to look forward to,” she shared.
Providing immediate positive feedback, according to the John Hopkins School of Education, is also a great way of rewarding your child. Apart from sincere words of praise, a reward could be a simple star, ice cream, or extra minutes to play before bedtime.
Parents like you are now juggling more responsibilities than usual. Yes, the new learning setup is a huge challenge. But, it is also a great opportunity.
It is an opportunity for you to spend more time with your little ones, teach them, and learn new things together. And who knows, you might learn new things from your child, too.
As you begin to see it that way, may you lean more on God’s wisdom. May you pray more and trust more, knowing that God will find ways to return your trust and prayers.
Be in faith that He will guide, lead, and protect you and your beloved child.
“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” (Psalm 28:7 NLT)
Do you have worries about your child’s learning this pandemic?
We hear you, and we are here to pray for you. Do not hesitate to call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8737-0700 or send in your prayer requests to our Facebook page.
For more tips about learning amid pandemic, catch the next webisode of Beyond Small Talk this Saturday, October 24, 2020, at 7:00 PM at The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube channel.