The new reality of the pandemic has forced people all over the world to change their work and study habits. Shifting so many daily tasks from schools and office to homes requires reorganizing the family’s early daily rhythm and habits. What do you need to do to create a space for your childhood that’s conducive to studying, and how can you help make it as easy as possible for them?
A quiet corner for work
If your child didn’t already have a designated place for doing homework, it’s time to catch up, providing them a well-lit space with a desk; a comfortable, well-adjusted chair; and a lamp. A computer with Internet access and a mouse are obvious elements of at-home learning. Considering that lessons often last several hours, it’s worth investing in your child’s comfort. Additionally, there should be no distractions switched on nearby, such as a TV, radio or mobile phone that they might unconsciously turn to.
A tidy desk
Children can be distracted not just by devices in the room, but also by an excess of objects in their immediate vicinity. That’s why students should get used to putting things back in their place and not accumulating too many items on their desks during study time. Dishes, toys, school supplies, textbooks and notebooks from subjects that aren’t on the schedule for the day can distract them from homework and online lessons.
A daily schedule
Remote learning is a huge change in a child’s life, and at the same time a challenge, so it’s good to sit down with your kids and lay out a plan for the day, which will help them organize their tasks and their free time. A regular schedule for sleep, study and meals can help reduce the stress resulting from the new situation, and at the same time help keep up the old habits developed during traditional learning at school.
Photo: Jess Bailey (Unsplash)
Recess
Just like at school, at home your child needs breaks for food, hygiene, stretching their legs or a moment of play. You can’t forget these things at home, either, because a tired child won’t be able to participate effectively in their lessons and perform the work they’re assigned.
Fresh air
It may be news to some, but spending time in stuffy, overheated spaces can make you lazy. That’s why it’s important to keep the room where your child is studied properly ventilated.
Movement
Keeping in shape and getting the right amount of movement is even harder than usual during the pandemic, but physical activity improves your mood, so encourage your child to move. Walks, jumping rope, dancing in front of the TV to videos of favorite songs, stretching, a home obstacle course – they may not be obvious, but there are plenty of options.
Photo: Евгения Кец (Pixabay)
Time management
Can a child learn to use a calendar or a planner? Of course! What’s more, keeping a list of tasks and duties can help them learn systematically. Planning out actions, portioning out material to review on specific days, noting chapters of books that they’ve already read: all of this helps your child prepare continuously for quizzes, tests and exams. Teaching your child to be systematic will only pay dividends in the future, when their duties and obligations will only grow.
The SafeKiddo app helps you and your children manage time better. By blocking inappropriate sites and setting whatever time limits you deem appropriate, you help your child develop healthy, safe habits in using technology. Getting your child used to a schedule of “first studying and homework, then play and the Internet” will affect their attitude toward school obligations, which will be a priority.
We know each family’s needs are different, which is why we’ve prepared three packages, to protect four, 10 or even 15 devices at the same time – you can adjust them to your needs and those of your loved ones.
Want to see how we protect children online? Try a 14-day trial period! Click here to register.
Motivation
Studying at home, far from the familiar faces of teachers and school friends, even after many months of the pandemic, can be a difficult experience that affects their motivation. That’s precisely why we need to invest in our children’s motivations: praise them for efforts, independence, the efforts they put into learning new things, completing a lesson. Talking with your child about what they learned on a given day should also have a positive effect on their perception of the situation, which of course isn’t easy for anyone.
Developing interests
Still, being shut up at home can lead children to develop new interests. The Internet is a veritable sea of inspirations, where you can find educational videos, courses, tutorials, documentary series, which broaden your children’s knowledge. It would be a mistake not to take advantage of these resources. And if you don’t want your child to spend too much time online, show them brain teasers, models to assemble, coloring books, plasticine, simple experiments – so they can try their hand at technical and artistic activities.
Photo: Taylor Heery (Unsplash)
Play
Of course, life isn’t all about work, so the time your child spends in remote learning, doing their homework and studying for tests should be balanced with fun and entertainment. Doing puzzles together, playing with LEGO, cooking, board games, watching movies – these activities aren’t just relaxation for children, but a way to tighten family ties.
Main photo: Words as Pictures (StockSnap)
Marcin Marzec, CEO & Founder
More than half of parents with children aged 8-16 have noticed increased online activity (unrelated to remote learning) during the pandemic. In the face of closed schools, cultural sites and sports facilities, it’s harder and harder to find quality entertainment for children, who are turning to games, apps and social media.
Our SafeKiddo parental control app was made by parents, for parents – to help you protect your children online. In this demanding time, SafeKiddo supports you in setting clear boundaries and establishing limits on screen time for your children, and building healthy habits. To keep your children safe with every click.
