LEARNING IS GOLD! MOTIVATE YOUR CHILDREN TO LEARN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

As COVID-19 is highly contagious among the society, some country has started online learning to minimize the human interaction at school or university. Therefore, home learning became a new norm in the society. It can reduce the risk of virus spreading and stay safe and hygienic for students.

However, problem often occur after one and another. Not every student can focus in an online learning situation, especially for pre-school student. As families and teachers are struggling to help children learn at home, many children are difficult to stay interested in their e-classroom or schoolwork. Therefore, it is important for parents to keep their children motivated in learning. This is to make sure they could catch up on their education and do not fall behind because of COVID-19 pandemic.

Tips for motivating children to learn at home

1. Planning and scheduling

Good planning can definitely help children and parents in learning. Check with your children or their school about their e-classroom schedule, and plan the learning and homework time together with your children.

This could help children to prioritize and learn to goals, tasks, and deadlines, just like adults do when they go to work. Children will know at which period they have to focus and learn. Scheduling is important as tasks that may not have been difficult for them while attending school in person can become more challenging when learning from home, so it’s important to reinforce boundaries and offer incentives for healthy behaviors.

On the other hand, be mindful to have a break time and flexibility so it wont over-stress your children.

2. Seek for learning resource through child's school

Preparing a suitable learning resource is important for your child's learning. Parents could get teaching resource online or from child's school. Online assignment or virtual lesson will be offered by many schools. Monitor your child’s assignments and make sure they complete all work and log in on time for online sessions. Parents should provide any help they need, such as good WIFI, laptops and other devices.

If parents face difficulty in online teaching, do not hesitate to ask for help from child's teachers for guidance and opinion. Not every parents will be a good teacher. Therefore, seek assistance from anywhere and anyone is a normal things to do. Join in a parent's community group and keep in touch with your children education facilities.

3. Have an open discussion with your children

It is normal for children to feel stress when they do not understand certain knowledge or under the surveillance from their parents. Encourage your children to ask questions and express their feelings with you. Remember that your child may have different reactions to stress, so be patient and understanding.

Parents could invite their children to talk about the issue to find out what they know and what they need. Follow their leads and go deeper when you have a chance. Make sure the environment is safe and relax for your children to talk freely about their opinion. Try your best to support them as a parents.

Be sure to acknowledge their feelings and provide solution for their concern. Pay full attention on your children, especially children that are e-learning at home.

4. Protect your children online

The first step of e-learning is to increase the access online that will increase the risk for children’s safety, protection and privacy. Be clear to your children on how does internet works, what they need to be aware of, and what appropriate behavior looks like on the platforms they use, such as video calls.

Parents could establish rules such as how, when and where the internet can be used. They can also set up parental controls on their device to mitigate online risks, especially for young children. Avoid cyberbullying, sexual harassments, inappropriate online content from children.

Be mindful that there’s no need for children or young people to share pictures of themselves or other personal information to access digital learning.

5. Education on personal hygienic

At the era of COVID-19, it is important for children to learn about personal hygienic. They should know how to keep a clean and hygienic environment to avoid contagious viruses. Parents should introduce them about the causes and effect of COVID-19. Most important, they have to know how to avoid it.

Children in pre-school might not be able to adapt this new norm, therefore it is important for parents to ready some user-friendly equipment for children to use other than educate them.