Online learning affords those who cannot be physically present in a classroom the opportunity to learn. It also offers flexibility, supports better time management, and fosters self-motivation in learners.
Most importantly, distance learning refines critical thinking and technical skills and provides students access to educational materials that may not be available in their home country.
Still, you may find that your child is having difficulty maintaining his concentration in an online class. Although this is common, the scenario doesn’t have to be the norm.
Follow these eight tips offered by experts from GEMS e-learning school to ensure that your child gets the most benefit from online learning:
1. Dedicate an Exclusive Learning Space
Create a dedicated space exclusively used for your child’s learning to ensure that he can take his online classes effectively.
There are many considerations when choosing a study area, but the most important ones are as follows:
- Does the space get enough natural light? This helps your child feel more present and productive during his lessons.
- Does the space have minimal clutter? This will reduce distractions from his online class.
If your current home setup does not allow this, you can make do with commonly used areas of the house, like the kitchen or living room. The key is to de-clutter the area and adjust the noise according to your child’s preference (more on this later).
Invest in a sturdy study table and comfortable chair to ensure that your child is comfortable during his classes. This can also prevent backaches and other similar issues should he be required to sit for long hours.
2. Maintain a Regular Schedule
Routine provides stability and predictability to your child’s day. It also helps him stay organised and focus on learning while making way for other activities like after-school programs.
This is exactly why schools create a specific schedule for students at school.
If your child is participating in online classes, you must set a schedule akin to those implemented in in-person learning. Have him wake up, perform schoolwork during specific hours, and eat snacks and lunch around the same time every day.
Doing this will help your child manage his time better and ensure he gets the same benefits of routine at home.
3. Encourage Regular Breaks
In school, students have periodic breaks after a few hours of learning. You must do the same for your child undergoing virtual classes.
Aside from alleviating boredom, encouraging your child to take breaks between tasks is scientifically proven to promote learning. This will let his mind rest, which is an efficient way of replenishing his energy to continue his lessons.
Resting in between learning is also known to reduce stress, improve memory, and boost productivity and brain performance.
Not sure how to implement breaks in distance learning? This can come in the form of recess time for snacks or a few minutes of relaxation without doing anything.
4. Reduce Screen Time
Using mobile phones, tablets, or computer screens for extended periods can lead to eye strain for kids and adults. In some cases, it can also negatively impact brain activity.
To ensure your child doesn’t experience this, reduce his screen time in other instances outside his online classes.
Doing this not only ensures that he uses his screen time wisely but also lowers his risk of insomnia from blue light exposure. Not getting enough sleep will hamper concentration and lead to ineffective learning.
5. Keep Distractions at Bay
Child development experts agree on a specific length of attention span that can be expected of students. According to them, the reasonable length is between two to three minutes multiplied by a child’s age.
In other words, a typical four-year-old can maintain focus on a given task for four to six minutes, while a six-year-old can concentrate for six to eight minutes.
Still, these are only generalisations. The actual length can vary for every individual.
How long your child can focus greatly depends on several factors, including how tired or hungry he feels, his level of interest in the activity, and the number of distractions around him.
Concentrating on a task can be challenging for children surrounded by numerous distractions, so you must keep interruptions to a minimum by:
- Turning off notification alerts on the device used for the online class.
- Restricting applications and websites (e.g., games, cartoons, etc.) that can be accessed while virtual lessons are ongoing.
- Keeping other family members and guests away from the study area while e-learning classes are in session.
How about noise? Does the room need to be super quiet?
According to experts, some students absorb new information better with a certain amount of background noise.
For optimal learning, ask your child what he prefers and adjust accordingly. Just make sure that the music or other sounds don’t interrupt the classes (e.g., mute the mic or pause the music when your child needs to recite).
6. Get Your Child Moving
Physical activity may not directly affect how much your child can learn, but studies found that it can promote brain function and improve basic cognitive processes.
Studies also show that exercise is a great way to help young children manage stress and anxiety from their studies, which supports efficient learning.
Stick to moderate-intensity exercises when choosing a physical activity for your child. They should be enough to enhance concentration without depleting his energy before the lecture is done.
Some of the best examples include:
- Yoga
- Jumping
- Running
- Skipping
- Bear crawls
- Crab walks
- Squats
7. Offer Rewards and Positive Feedback
Children thrive on positive feedback and encouragement. Offering these to your child whenever he accomplishes a task can provide significant motivation to do better in his online classes.
Offer your child words of encouragement and praise regardless of the size of the accomplishment. Even little victories need to be celebrated.
Teachers also use rewards to foster positive learning behaviour. Aside from a pat on the back, you can also offer the same to your child in the form of stars, stickers or a few extra minutes he can spend on an activity he likes.
8. Support Socialisation
Learning from home can cause children to feel isolated compared to when they attend classes at school. To prevent this, always make room for socialisation in your child’s schedule.
Engaging with peers can help him develop life skills that cannot be taught in a formal classroom session. Socialisation also allows him to cultivate his values, hopes, and dreams.
Want to support your child’s socialisation? Schedule video calls with your child’s friends or classmates. You can also let him join after-school programs and bring him to weekend playgroups.
Balance is the Key
Keeping your child focused and engaged in online learning doesn’t necessarily mean his class should be the be-all and end-all of his day-to-day life. Instead, help him find a balance in his days so that he can maintain his concentration when needed.
Andrie Steliou
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