5 Tips for Not Falling Behind in a World of Distance Learning

During the age of COVID-19, nearly every school started offering online learning to keep kids safe and avoid unnecessary risks of contracting the virus. While online learning is safer for your kids, it also puts a lot of additional stress on parents, students, and teachers. 

With all these factors considered, it's normal to fear that your kids will fall behind in school. The learning environment is definitely different, and it’s more challenging for some than it is for others.

There are a few things you can do to help your child stay ahead while learning online. Here are a few tips to help keep your kid on track and alleviate the stress distance learning can cause.

1. Create a Personal Organization Method

Even when we try to organize things neatly and efficiently, there are still unforeseen issues that pop up and throw us off. Plus, not every organization method works for everyone.

In fact, each of your child’s teachers is probably using their own unique organization method for coursework and announcements — making it even harder for you to figure out what your child needs to do.
If you come up with your own method, you can take information from each classroom and build a cohesive and easy-to-follow schedule for your child.

Write it down

It may seem silly, but writing down a to-do list for yourself helps you remember the order in which things need to be done. Having a written list clears the clutter in your mind and allows you to focus on productivity throughout the day. ​

Keep a calendar

How many times have you asked your child what they have for schoolwork that day and gotten an "I dunno" answer? Digital learning platforms have a calendar or schedule listed, sit down with your child, and go through the upcoming lessons and tasks. Grab out your calendar and write when reading, assignments, and tests are due. 
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You can even get your child involved by offering incentives (movie or game night!) when they complete their work. This not only takes stress off you, but there's an added benefit of teaching your kid organization skills as well!

Break it down

Even with a to-do list and a calendar, you or your kid may still feel overwhelmed. When this happens, take each task and break it down into smaller chunks. If you can, give your kid a break between subjects, or split the assignment and quiz with a moment to stand and stretch. ​

2. Have a Designated Workspace

One of the most important things to help keep your kids on track during digital learning is to have a workspace just for them. While the couch or bed may be comfy, distractions abound in these locations. Find a corner in a room, set up a desk and chair. Make it more inviting by letting your child put drawings or pictures on the wall. 
The more inviting the space, the more your child will want to spend time in it. This space keeps distractions to a minimum and allows children to focus on the task at hand, lessening the potential for falling behind during digital learning.

3. Communicate with Teachers

Not only are kids learning at a distance, but you are also distanced from their teachers. Keeping the lines of communication open with your child's teachers helps prevent any issues of falling behind in class. 
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When you discuss any roadblocks or difficulties with learning, your teacher can provide resources to help. Extra assignments for practice, tutoring resources, and additional one-on-one time are a few of the ways a teacher will help

4. Hire a Tutor

It's important to avoid burnout from helping your child with their schoolwork constantly or trying to tackle subjects that aren't your forte. Filling the learning gaps when a teacher isn't available is exhausting and frustrating for both you and your child. The most common subjects a parent and a child struggle with are math and English. These are core subjects from which all other subjects are built. 

​Your child's teacher should have some tutoring resources, but there are tutoring agencies in your area to choose from. Traditional tutoring is done in-person, but with the shift to digital learning, most tutors are also choosing a digital route. 
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When selecting a tutor, look for suggestions from other parents, the child's teacher, or call a local agency. Make sure you have a phone consultation with them and explain the issues and struggles you're experiencing. Most agencies have multiple tutors for specific subjects and grades, whereas an individual tutor usually does traditional tutoring in one subject.

5. Set Yourself Up for Success

Once you have your organization, workspace, and communication set up, Mighty B Learning completes the learning picture. Adding tutoring into your digital learning plan ensures that your child gets help where they need it and prevents them from falling behind. 
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Mighty B Learning offers online private tutoring tailored to your child's individual needs. We have tutoring packages to fit any budget. Contact us today, and let's discuss your child's needs!