6 Vital Ways to Get the Best From Online Learning for your Kids

These days, the opposite of online is not offline, it’s out-of-touch.

This is because the internet has become such an integral part of everyday life that if you’re not connected, you’re disconnected from a lot. Nigeria isn’t left out of this fast moving train; the internet has penetrated all regular activities and learning is not an exception. 

So you’re either in or out. And you don’t want to be out. 

You may assume that the Covid-19 pandemic imposed this move to online learning in Nigeria and that all will return to normal after the pandemic. Still, others will argue that online learning in Nigeria was well underway long before the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue even with its passing.

Either way, online learning for kids in Nigeria is a breath of fresh air, but it comes with its challenges. Supplementing with, or totally moving on to internet learning has been trying for all stakeholders involved including instructors, children and parents. 

As a parent, if you’re worried that your child is falling behind, we have vital tips on how you can ensure that your child’s academic work flourishes with online or e-learning. Schools and private lessons in Nigeria now include online learning as part of their academic plan, so you should expect that e-learning will be a huge part of our future. 

Whether as the main academic work or a supplement to school work, online learning in Nigeria has come to stay.

What is Online Learning?

Online learning refers to learning methods that partially or totally involve the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) available through the internet. In summary, it is education that takes place over the Internet.  And is often referred to as “e-learning” among other terms

Online learning is just one type of “distance learning” which is the umbrella term for any learning that takes place across distance and not in a traditional classroom. 

How to get the best from online learning for your kids.

Your child, like most children, is not alien to computers or the internet. 

In contrast to past ages, your child probably knows how to utilize gadgets better than you. This doesn’t imply that he or she will be a specialist at taking advantage of internet learning – that responsibility solely rests on you, the parent. You have to make the most of the open doors and opportunities online learning provides. 

Here are tips to guarantee your child thrives with online learning: 

1. Measure Your Child’s Learning

Most teachers admit that online learning provides an option for them to cover up lost ground, fast. If teachers feel this way, then your child will be at a loss if you don’t help them take advantage.

To ensure that your child doesn’t fall excessively far behind, it’s crucial to keep up certain study standards so they realize they are not on a break. 

Commitments like tasks, tests and grades matter even in online learning. Some ways to encourage this understanding is to continually check in on their learning by working problems together or encouraging them to read their assignments to you out loud. 

Simple measurements like self-quizzing or checking problems together can help you stay abreast of their progress. Setting up a reward system for good performance can help them prioritize these measurements as well.

2. Avoid Distractions

Most children have been interacting with gadgets since age two, if not before —yet it has normally been utilized for no particular reason. Since the objective has gone to online learning, you need to assist them with reexamining how they utilize these gadgets. 

You can turn off notifications for Apple devices by using “screen time” to limit time on apps, and on Android devices, you can turn on “focus mode” to limit access to certain apps during specific times. 

Beyond handheld gadgets, it is important to limit interruptions by making a fitting space for learning for your child. 

Regardless of the location, whether it’s the dining table or an assigned corner in the sitting room, designate a specific space for them for their online learning activities. Also, eliminate as many distractions as possible so that they understand that when they’re in this space, they should focus on their school work.

3. Include Breaks

Schools are worked around structure and routine – and a key segment of that is planned breaks. The same ought to be offered at home, as well. 

Schedule free time, hands-on learning, or walks, as well as lunch or snack breaks. Also let your child know these are going to happen. This way, they can measure their day on a clock, like they would at school. 

Whether the online learning takes the form of extra lessons or the main school work, breaks in between are essential.

4. Be flexible

Adjusting your schedule is important to allow for some academic activities and subjects which can be difficult, so consider setting aside another time to work on that assignment with your child.

Work with your child on more challenging tasks during the times of the day when they are most alert and energetic. Encourage your child to continue working on the things that come more easily when you are not readily available.

Also, it’s helpful to communicate with the teacher or tutor to know what works best for your child to help you plan accordingly.

5. Communicate with Your Child’s Teacher or Tutor

A lack of communication with you as a parent can be challenging for the tutor, particularly during online learning. 

Being proactive is essential if your child must excel with online learning. 

If your child has difficulties with an assignment or deadline and you can work with the child only during the weekends, the first thing to do is get in touch with the tutor.

6. Create a schedule

If you’re finding that your child is repeatedly having trouble with online learning activities, it might be time to create a working schedule.

E-learning relies on the student working largely unobserved. This means there is no observant tutor that can read your child’s body language to know what they might be struggling with. To ensure that your child stays on track, create a schedule. 

Tutors are specialists that provide individual attention to your child and can dig into what works or doesn’t work for your child. While creating a schedule, get your child’s tutor on board. If your child doesn’t have one, get one for her. 

Your child’s tutor can adjust focus and tactics to make sure that your child doesn’t fall behind. This can be done by creating a schedule specially suited to your child and following up to ensure that your child sticks to the schedule.

Online learning is here to stay, it is important to apply these tips to create a conducive online learning environment for your child. Enjoying uninterrupted time with your children is a treasure that you should fully explore – by allowing tutors and teachers that can help your child academically. 

Looking for ways to supplement your child’s academics? Sign up for our online learning class for your child