COVID-19 has changed the way we think about school. It has forced most homes to rethink how they approach success during this time of homeschooling. Just because the system has changed and the onus falls more on the parent doesn’t mean your child can’t do well in school. Here are some types to follow when you want your grade-schooler to do well.
Provide structure.
One of the biggest, and presumably easiest, ways to help your child succeed is through giving them structure. This means several things. A structure is a clear list of procedures that need to get accomplished in a day. It’s understanding the way to accurately solve a math problem. It’s how the day is organized. When children are able to operate within a strong academic and household structure, the likelihood they will succeed is higher.
Develop a routine.
Closely related to a structure would be routine. As structure provides the framework through which a day runs, a routine is executing the actions regularly. The repetition, not only in their daily activities but in their schoolwork, will help with their retention. This means you should try and schedule tutoring sessions, homework time, and other aspects of the day and stick to the plan. Good habits can last a lifetime.
Monitor screen time.
With the classrooms moving to an online setting, it’s wise to keep the screen time outside of school to a minimum. Children are going to have a higher than the typical allotment of screen time for their studies, adding on hours of screen time for recreational purposes can be hard on their physical and mental states. Set aside time for being outside, reading from an actual book, and other activities that don’t require an electronic device. Screens have their time and place, but not all the time.
Seek outside assistance.
One of the best ways to get good screen time, however, is through outside tutoring. This could be an online tutor for math education, message board, or live chat for math help and English help, or a great tutor for high school trigonometry. Having a tutor for homework help can really help fill the gaps that the instructor might not be able to see when teaching to an entire class. This is also an opportunity to seek a professional tutor who specializes in a particular subject.
Companies like HelloThinkster provide math tutors to help with basic math all the way through trigonometry, middle school geometry, and calculus. Tutorials, test prep, and quizzes can help students learn basic math and more advanced concepts and formulas. From all of the math tutoring websites, they offer a unique teaching style dedicated to your child’s needs and abilities.
Make time for fun.
Though working with a tutor is a lot of fun in itself, you should also make time to not focus on schoolwork and just have fun. Set down the algebra for a bit and pick up the action figures. This could also be coloring, working on a puzzle, or just playing in the yard. Studies have shown that our mind’s ability to focus on a single issue only lasts about 40 minutes. So, make time throughout the day for the mind to reset through play. It will be healthy for both you and your child.
Model for your kid.
Your kids learn so much from watching you. Be the person you’d want your kid to grow up and be. This means you should read to them. Be polite. Do more than just enough to get by. Do more to get ahead. Be an active participant with their instructors and tutors.
Giving your child all of the tools they need to succeed doesn’t have to require mountains of effort on your part. Don’t dwell on any of the gaps or weaknesses in your plan. Focus on these five ways to help your little one succeed and you’ll give them a good head start for the academic career.
