September is upon us and we all know what that means — back to school. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our students will be learning a lot different this year. In Southeastern Massachusetts, many schools are offering a Hybrid Learning Model where students will be learning at home and inside the classroom. At Cushman Insurance, we understand this new system can be stressful — especially for working parents. To help you live more and worry less, we put together a few strategies that can help make virtual schooling a bit easier.
Establish A Schedule
It is helpful for kids to stick to a routine even when they are learning in a more relaxed environment. Timers are useful to help structure a day for children, and for younger children, a visual timer can help them understand how much longer they have for any given subject or activity.
Purchase Noise Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones can be helpful if there are other siblings or parents learning and working from home. Any distractions can take a child’s attention away from their teacher or their work, so using a set of headphones that allow your child to focus on the moment at hand will help with productivity. Use this guide to determine which headphones are best suited for your child.
Create A Designated Study Space
For students, having a designated study area means fewer distractions and allows a child to enter a “school mindset” when in that specific area. This can be a spare room or even a specific area of their bedroom; the important thing is to create an area that is only used for school. A proper study space should be:
A quiet area, or a room that has a door that can be closed in case a child needs to participate in a discussion with his or her class.
Ensure there is enough light for a child to take notes and reading. The laptop they are using should be at eye level, and whatever chair they are using should offer proper back support.
Make sure the area has enough school supplies - this should include notebooks, pencils, pens, markers, and any other tools that will allow them to be successful.
Cushman Insurance knows that the next few months with a hybrid learning system can be filled with chaos. That’s why establishing a routine with your children will help set them up for success. Did we forget any virtual learning tips? Let us know!