How to Create a Productive Remote Learning Environment
When the switch to remote learning first happened in 2020, parents had little time to prepare. However, now children learning from home could well become a regular part of the school year – for snow days and the like. And so it’s important to ensure you have a productive home learning environment for your children. This is especially important if you could has a learning difficulty.
Here are some tips to help you promote productive learning while your children navigate remote education for the foreseeable future.
Create a Designated Learning Area
Learning from home can be confusing, especially since your child is used to having home as a place to relax after school. Having a dedicated learning area will help separate home versus school time . And it creates a sense of normalcy for your child. This will also help your child get comfortable with an area they know is meant for serious learning, which will get them in the proper headspace for school.
Having a separate room completely dedicated to learning is ideal. A spare bedroom, basement, or attic are all suitable areas to convert into a learning space. However, a learning area can also be as simple as a dedicated corner of the living room or kitchen, so it depends on what works best for your child and your home.
Renovating to Create a Workspace?
If you have unused space in your home, it may be worth renovating these areas to make them suitable for learning. This is especially true if your child has trouble concentrating in a common area of your house. Finishing a basement or converting an extra room into a learning space can increase the value of your home and also improve your child’s focus and productivity. Also, once your child grows older or goes back to in-person learning the space can be used for other purposes like a home office or recreation room, so it might be worth the investment.
If you need help financing these renovations, determine if you have enough in your savings account to cover the cost. If not, you can also use a home equity loan for extra funding if you’re a homeowner. This option is especially beneficial because it gives you the payment in one lump sum and allows you to deduct the taxes for home improvement projects.
No matter where you put your learning space, make sure to design it with productivity in mind. It’s important that the space has good lighting, either from a window or lamp, and is located where your child is comfortable. For instance, if they’re scared of the basement, that probably isn’t the best option for a learning area. You can also have them personalize the space with pictures, artwork, or other decorations to help them stay motivated and inspired to learn.
Minimize Distractions
This might seem obvious, but children learning from home comes with several new barriers and distractions that may prevent your child from learning effectively, especially if they have learning difficulties. Whether it be siblings, pets, or electronics, your child may be too focused on their surroundings to properly concentrate on their work.
Although it may be difficult to eliminate every distraction in your home, there are ways to minimize them. For instance, make sure your child keeps their cell phone, tablet, or other electronic devices away from their workspace. That reduces the temptation of notifications or games. If you have pets or other children in your home, try to keep away from where your child is learning. This doesn’t mean you should eliminate all human interaction, but instead limit it to breaks or free time so your child doesn’t get caught up in conversations during their lessons.
If none of these options seem to work, it may be worth purchasing noise cancelling headphones to drown out outside distractions. This can help your child stay focused and on-task without having to keep the rest of the house silent while they work. Studies have also shown that listening to music can promote productivity, so see what works best for your child.
Make Sure You Have the Proper Equipment
Not having the necessary resources for home learning can be a significant reason why your child might not be productive. In order to set your child up for success, you should equip them with the proper tools and supplies for remote learning.
Depending on their age and curriculum, their supplies might differ. Generally, a computer or laptop with a camera, a desk, and an ergonomic chair are the minimum necessities for successful home learning for children. You should also have notebooks, writing utensils, highlighters, folders, and a calculator readily available for other common tasks. Another vital resource for your child’s productivity is having a stable internet connection. The last thing you want is your child to miss out on a lesson because of technical difficulties, so make sure your WiFi is properly set up.
To get a better understanding of what equipment and supplies your child needs, try consulting with their teachers to gain insight into their lesson plans. This will help prevent you from overspending on unnecessary purchases. And it will ensure your child has everything they need to succeed in their classes.
Create and Stick to a Routine
Remote learning has been a massive transition for parents and students alike. Now that your child is learning from home, their normal schedule has been disrupted, which can negatively impact your child’s workflow.
To help your child better adjust to remote learning, create a consistent schedule and routine. This will help create some much-needed structure and get your child in the proper mindset for school, which can help boost their productivity. Try to mimic your child’s school schedule at home and dedicate time for lunch, study hall, breaks, and other activities. Once they have a sense of stability and organization in their lives, they can shift their focus to their education.