Nurture Social Skills and Make E-Learning Fun at Home
Enjoy a safe and collaborative learning experience together with your kids
Author: Mancie Silloriquez
The official schoolyear had been rescheduled from August 24 to October 5, 2020 to handle necessary adjustments and preparations for the new e-learning and homeschooling method.
With these methods becoming the new norm to prevent COVID-19 spread, both children and parents now must adapt to the shift. Some of the highly discussed concerns are screen time, online safety, and lack of social interaction.
Proper Screen Time and Cyber Safety
The Philippines is now adapting to e-learning as a new teaching method and, although it is the safest convenient option, smart parents are still apprehensive about its impact on their children’s behavior.
There are simple and effective ways to combat these stresses:
1. Screen Time Moderation
The length of screen viewing matters. Allow only a certain period per day for kids to use digital devices and ramp up their daily schedule by encouraging physical and offline activities like active play or cooking.
Moderation is key. Teach children the value of time management, starting with practice and commitment so they eventually develop a healthy habit and productive learning lifestyle.
2. Web Mindfulness
It is essential for parents to monitor their kids’ internet activity and discuss how to use information and technology responsibly, especially at a young age.
As organizations do their part in communicating cyber safety and proper web conduct to the public, parents would also do well to emphasize the importance of respecting privacy, protecting personal information, and practicing empathy.
Fun Collaborative E-Learning
Socialization starts at home. Aside from moderated screen exposure and safety, here are four ways to foster an effective online distance learning environment at home:
1. Provide hands-on activities
Get them moving! Aside from paper exercises for writing practice, provide toys that will fuel critical thinking and satisfy sensory needs. Mix in puzzles, blocks, and other brain teasers that are perfect supporting materials, especially for science and math lessons.
2. Engage and have fun together
Be involved. It will give you a deeper understanding your child’s learning process. Simple gestures such as observing their class, asking how they liked it, giving praises, and discussing progress with their teachers allow them to feel your support. It will get them more enthusiastic, well-behaved, and increase their confidence.
3. Let them lead the games
Look into what piques their interest at the moment and, from it, derive inspiration for active play, reading sessions, and extracurricular activities. Your child will be hungrier for knowledge and more driven to learn if topics are within their current scope of curiosity.
4. Allow learning in groups
Schedule calls with their circle of friends or consider online group classes. This grants interactions with kids around the same age group that will promote camaraderie, participation, and development of necessary social skills they may have been missing in this time of quarantine.
Whatever educational program your child is taking, your ability to adapt quickly, ensure safety, feed curiosity, and provide support will all contribute to their growth.
Be open, active, and mindful in your child’s e-learning activities. This will increase your capability and confidence as a parent and rest your heart easy to know that they are safe so you both can have fun!
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