10 Useful Tips for Virtual Schooling

This year many students will be faced with at-home virtual schooling as opposed to attending school in person. While some parents and students are excited about all virtual schooling, others are anxious and unsure. Here are 10 useful tips for virtual schooling to help your child get ready for this new and very different school year.

  • Get plenty of rest before school starts and get on a Schedule
  • Make sure your internet and computer are ready to go
  • Back to School Shopping
  • Teacher Info
  • Plan Virtual Meetups
  • Be Positive
  • Get Outside
  • Fieldtrips
  • Designated Workspace
  • Set Realistic Goals

 

 

10 Useful Tips for Virtual Schooling

 

1. Get plenty of rest before school starts  and get on a Schedule

This is the same as any school year, getting on a schedule weeks before school starts and sticking to it will work wonders for your child. It will help them to focus and succeed, especially when all of the learning will be virtual.

 

2. Make sure your internet and computer are ready to go

Double-check your internet connectivity and speeds before school officially starts. Make sure that the computer your child will be using is up to date on software and that you have a working mouse, keyboard, headset or earbuds, and a charger. It’s also a good idea to have your internet provider’s information handy as well in case of any technical issues that you may encounter with your internet.

 

3. Back to School Shopping

Just because students may be at home for school, still make it fun and exciting to purchase new supplies. They will also need fall and winter clothes either way, so let them pick out a few new outfits. This will help them to look forward to a new school year.

back to school shopping

4. Teacher Info

Make sure that after the first day of school that you and your child know each teacher’s contact information and have that on hand in case of any schoolwork or technical issues. It’s also a good idea to keep nearby in case your student is sick and misses class, has a doctor’s appointment, or even a vacation.

 

5. Plan Virtual Meetups

Set up weekly Zoom meetings (or monthly) with other parents in your child’s class and plan weekly or monthly virtual get-togethers for the kids. Some ideas for the virtual meetups include storytime for younger kids, show and tell, and everyone can meet and watch a movie together. It makes it more fun knowing others are there too, even if you aren’t technically “together.”

Another fun activity is the parents can even have a monthly meetup to have dessert and wine while discussing life and schooling. Share advice with others going through the same things that you are experiencing. The themes and options are unlimited for meetups for kids or adults. You’re not alone!

zoom

6. Be Positive

This is a very important one. Don’t let your child see your stress, keep calm, and be positive. Kids will definitely pick up on stress and if they are already stressed, they will be much less likely to try or care to try to complete the work, knowing that you are also over it. Take frequent breaks and make sure your child takes frequent breaks.

 

7. Get Outside

If you have a nice, quiet outdoor shady spot, that would be a great area for your child to complete some of the schoolings. If you don’t, make sure that your child still gets outside frequently- even if it’s just for a breath of fresh air. Sunshine does the mind and body well.

get outside

8. Fieldtrips

On days where there is no school, or on the weekend, take a day trip somewhere fun. Try to make it a monthly tradition. Even with social distancing, you can still spend a day at the lake or go on a hike. Or just have a cookout and scavenger hunt in your own backyard.

 

9. Designated Work Space

If you have a quiet outdoor area for some schoolings, that’s great. But you need to set up a “full-time” workspace for your child. Somewhere that is quiet and a place that they can easily find any books or materials that they need. I wouldn’t recommend lounging on a bed or couch to do school work. Once you get cozy on a couch or bed, you’re bound to be less focused, and probably more sleepy.

 

10. Set Realistic Goals

You and your child know that the first year of virtual schooling will not go perfectly each and every day. There will be internet issues. Submitting work issues. Normal child forgetting to do work issues. Set goals with your child for each month. Simple, realistic goals such as getting to bed on time and signing into school on time each day. Trying to maintain A’s and B’s, but most of all trying.

Reward your child when they meet these goals. Let them choose dinner and dessert, or even reward them with a smaller purchase such as a gift card that they can use online.

set goals

Wrapping It Up

There’s no doubt that school will be different this year. Remember to stay as calm as possible, and be there for your child. Understand that there will be problems and issues that arise, take it in stride. It will be okay, just take it day by day. Our children are being put to the ultimate test by switching to virtual schools. They don’t get to see their friends every day and do normal school kid stuff.

When you’re at your wits’ end, take a moment and remember that. As long as your child is trying, be supportive and proud. And let them know it! I hope that you enjoy these 10 useful tips for virtual schooling!

 

Back to School: Elementary Edition- check this out if your child will be attending school in person.

Time for some laughter with this Jokes & Riddles for Kids Ultimate collection.

First Day of School.

 

useful tips for virtual schooling

Leave a Reply

Connect