With several schools and learning facilities still closed due to the threat of COVID-19 pandemic, parents have no choice but to navigate learning at home. Some parents turned to online tutoring programs and hired professional educators to keep their child’s education ongoing. Other parents, on the other hand, refused to seek online alternatives and decided to wait until traditional face-to-face classes are back.
And there those few parents who have started embracing a new role of becoming their kid’s personal tutor.
What most parents don’t realize is that homeschooling isn’t just a temporary fix when traditional classroom learning is not accessible – it can actually bring a host of benefits for your child’s development in the long run. Plus, getting hands-on with regards to their education helps you create a stronger, deeper relationship with your little one.
Planning to teach your child at home during the lockdown? If you’re feeling overwhelmed about tutoring your kid, here are 8 tips to help you get started on the right track.
1. Figure out your child’s learning style
Is your child a visual learner, who learns better when presented with images, symbols, graphs, and other visual aids? Or is he/she an auditory learner, who understands lessons better through listening than reading? Are they a slow learner? Do they have any learning barriers?
The first step to effective tutoring is figuring out your child’s learning style as well as his or her limitations. With this, you can tailor your teaching methods to cater to his or her capacity.
2. Set up a designated space for learning
Like adults who need to set up a makeshift office desk at home for work purposes, children need their designated space for learning too.
Set up your kid’s workstation in an environment that best suits their creativity. Ideally, you want to place their station in a quiet, distraction-free area where they can concentrate and perform better.
3. Pick a realistic schedule
Pick a schedule that works for both of you. Since they’re used to having a schedule or routine in school, creating a similar structure makes sense. You don’t need to teach them seven hours straight a day. A good 2-4 hours of study time is enough. Don’t forget to give them in between breaks and opportunities to get some outdoor physical activity.
4. Look for helpful online resources
Good news: you can find a goldmine of free educational resources and lesson plans online. Bad news: the flood of free downloadable PDFs can be overwhelming.
You can start from a few resources, prioritizing your kid’s greatest need, including Math and English resources. One of the leading Sydney tutoring centers highly recommend the following resources:
Math resources
- Maths Online | http://www.mathsonline.com.au
- Mathspace | http://www.mathspace.co
- Mathletics | http://www.mathletics.com.au
- Khan Academy – Maths | https://www.khanacademy.org/math
English Resources
- BBC English Games | http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/english/games
- Story Starters | http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/storystarters/storystarter1.htm
- Online Reading | http://storylineonline.net
- Spelling | http://www.learner.org/interactives/spelling/
Maths & English Games
- English Games | http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezone2.htm
- Primary Games | http://www.primarygames.com
- Fun Brain | http://www.funbrain.com
- Math Is Fun | http://www.mathsisfun.com
5. Combine traditional and digital media
You don’t want your child to look at screens for long periods of time. For this purpose, you can mix traditional and digital learning materials during your sessions. Let them read and answer textbooks. You can also print hard copies of some of the reading materials online.
6. Look for extra-curricular activities online
Not all resources must be related to academics. You can find fun resources that will fuel their passion and keep them connected to their real-life community. You may look for online piano lessons, dance classes, vocal lessons, art workshops, and other interesting activities they can participate in when study time is over.
7. Set aside time for passion projects
Now is the best time for your kids to pursue activities they’re interested in but haven’t had the time to do in the past. It could be learning new instruments, painting, crafting, and cooking. Support them by providing them with the necessary materials, resources, and parental guidance.
8. Be extra patient
Homeschooling can be very stressful, especially for parents who are balancing their work schedules and their kids’ study times. However, you need to be forgiving of yourself and your child. It’s better to take a pause when everyone’s not physically and mentally available than push through and cause severe emotional distress for everyone.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a daytime writer for Inflow Education Tutoring Sydney, a tutoring organization in Sydney, specializing in Math and English Tutoring. She enjoys writing practical tips on education, parenting, family, and relationships.
