How to put the "social" back in virtual learning
Humans are social animals by nature. So being told that we have to isolate at home and stay six feet away from others can make even the most introverted among us feel lonely. A large part of our children's daily dose of social interaction was previously provided by school. But thanks to the pandemic, many of us have traded in the bustling school hallways, busy cafeteria lunch tables, recess games with friends, after school clubs and sports, and class group work for a spot at the dining room table in front of a computer. Alone.
I can very confidently predict that if you were to ask your child what he or she misses most about in person school, the answer would be seeing friends. Here's the thing: not only are friends important for our children's emotional well-being, they also play an important role in our children's academic development. Learning in a social environment provides peer motivation, alternative perspectives, and camaraderie. To put it simply, learning with friends makes learning more fun.
Have you noticed that your child isn't very engaged by virtual learning? Does your child become very clingy during virtual school, constantly needing your help or physical presence? Chances are that she is the kind of student who really benefited from learning with peers, but now you're the closest thing she can find. Before you have to enroll in the 5th grade alongside her, here are six tips and tricks to make the social interactions your child craves a part of the virtual learning experience:
SIX TIPS FOR HELPING THE LONELY AT-HOME LEARNER:
Virtual Study Buddies: Enlist a peer or even a family member to have scheduled virtual study dates. Sometimes it can be very reassuring and motivating to "sit" and study with someone, even if it is through a screen. Children can work together virtually, or they can even work independently on different assignments with their friend on the screen as "company."
YouTube Study With Me Videos: Worried that a virtual study buddy will distract your child? Try putting on a video like this one while your child studies. It might seem strange at first, but watching someone else study at the same time can be very motivating!
Socially Distanced Study Sessions: If the weather cooperates and you feel comfortable with it, you could arrange for your child to study outside and 6 feet apart from a classmate.
Scheduled Study Breaks with Friends: Schedule virtual opportunities to socialize throughout your child's day, or if your child is older, encourage him to do so himself. These could happen in the breaks between virtual classes or during lunch. A group of friends can hang out and take a break in a Google Meet or Zoom meeting and it will feel just like school lunch or recess. Well, not really, but it's better than nothing!
Physical Presence: Some children have a hard time working without someone else being physically present. If this describes your child, you might want to consider creating his work area to be somewhere near you. If you are working from home, perhaps he could work near where you are working. Noise blocking headphones can help everyone stay focused on their own work.
Parent Check-ins: An alternative to being physically present for your child during virtual school is to provide regular check-ins. If your child knows that you will be checking in regularly, she will be more likely to work on her own in between visits.
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