How to Prepare Your Student for Distance Learning?

by Tyler P. A Passionate Blogger - Entertainment

Families can choose to homeschool when their children enter kindergarten and can continue with this process through graduation. Due to age and grade level, K-2^nd grade students are most often enrolled in a print curriculum which has the parent as the primary teacher and uses physical textbooks as teaching tools.However, starting in the 3^rd grade (some schools may start later), parents may have the option to transition their student into the online classroom and work with certified teachers provided by the program. This is a transition that should be carefully considered and done at the appropriate time based on the student’s comfort level with online learning and after thorough communication with the parent.

Most kids enjoy playing on their phones but when it comes to sitting in front of a computer for a couple of hours or using a tablet to complete their schoolwork, there could be some push back. It’s important to know your child’s abilities and limitations so you can determine the most appropriate time to successfully move them into the online classroom. When you find an online Christian school, take time to let the student go through the free demo so they can see what to expect from this new way of learning. Give them the freedom to navigate, ask pertinent questions and explore the online portal so they can get excited about the tools and resources as well as gain confidence in their ability to do school in this new, online format.

Even though all core subjects and electives are completed on the computer, parents can create a schedule that breaks up the screen time with physical education, extracurricular activities such as art, music and sports. Mini-breaks are also a great way to get a student up and away from the screen so they can rest their eyes and give their brain a chance to recharge. Plan these breaks in between subjects and space out difficult classes so the student doesn’t necessarily have them back-to-back where they can get stressed and overwhelmed. Each student is unique in their learning ability so this needs to be developed with them in open communication and then adjusted as needed. When you enroll in the best online Christian schools, the professional teachers can also help by providing recommendations and suggestions. It is a good idea to have the student learn early how to communicate with their teacher so they can develop these skills but also have confidence that the resource is there when issues arise.

Many students enjoy online learning because of the flexibility it gives them to learn at their own pace. But, new concepts require time for adjustments and the parents need be sensitive and aware of this when they first start with distance learning. Talk with the teachers and administrators so you understand the process, standards and expectation and then make sure the student is on board with the program and set up with the right equipment and environment to make education fun, productive and beneficial for their future goals.