Here is what you can do to help your child as they begin online learning for the year.
As we get closer to the start of the academic year, many parents face the idea of online learning with understandable trepidation. Many schools got a taste of the online learning experience in the last academic year, but this year, many schools will go digital from the get-go. For children with special needs, this can be quite the change, and they may need help adjusting to this new routine. Here is what you can do to help your child as they begin online learning for the year.
Teach Them How They Should Behave Online
Proper behavior is something all children should be taught, and since instruction will take place online, now is a great time to teach online etiquette. Remind your children that everything they say can be searched and found again. Emphasize the permanency of everything they say, and how they should always be on their best behavior.
Safety is another topic of concern with online learning. Let your child know what information they should and shouldn’t share over the web. Sometimes, providing a list of items not to share can be of assistance. Also, warn them about the dangers of opening an email from someone they don’t already know. A child should always have adult supervision when handling messages from strangers.
Collaborate With Your Teacher(s)
Teachers are among the most important resources you have during the school year. If there’s ever anything that concerns you about your child’s online learning experience, don’t hesitate to make those concerns known to the teacher. Teachers will collaborate with you to devise a plan that’s suitable for your child’s needs.
Establish a Schedule
Online learning is different from in-school instruction in many ways. One such change is that children aren’t contained in a classroom, and as such, it’s harder to maintain structure in their online learning environment. So, it becomes a necessity to establish structure within your own home.
Create a schedule with your child so that they know when it’s time to do schoolwork, take a break, and eat, among other things. A new schedule will take time to learn, but you need to stay loyal to your plan. Over time, your child will learn what they should be doing at what points of the day. Remember to build time for breaks so as not to overstimulate your child.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (301) 577-4333. Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.