5 Ways to Set your Student Up for Success During Remote Learning

With many students still learning virtually, parents have had to adjust to meet the needs of their students while still maintaining their own responsibilities.

“As a parent myself, I have experienced the same struggles that many parents have,” says Dr. Kimberly Leverette, executive director of Education & Training at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “However, there are ways to make the experience better for both students and parents.”

According to Dr. Leverette, five ways to set your students up for success during remote learning are:

1. Make a designated learning space

Whether it is at the kitchen table, a desk in their bedroom or anywhere in between, having a place that is dedicated to learning during the day will help students get into a mindset for their lessons. To add “Voice and Choice” to your student’s workspace, have them help decide where it will be and what they need to successfully learn.

2. Minimize distractions

Make sure that your student can’t see or hear things that might distract them from their virtual classroom. You can accomplish this by having your student wear headphones, making sure their designated learning space is in a private room and ensuring that others in your household let your student have their learning time. You should also make sure they don’t have toys or other electronics in their workspace that may distract them.

3. Keep close and be available

Students can run into a number of problems with remote learning that they may not be able to solve themselves. To ensure your student doesn’t get overwhelmed, make sure they know you are available to help and let them know where you will be during their online schooling.

4. Check in on your student

Don’t just check to make sure your student is participating in their schooling, make sure you check in with them emotionally. With virtual schooling, students can get frustrated, overwhelmed or apathetic. Ask how your student is feeling about virtual schooling. If they are feeling badly about it, help them talk through their feelings and practice mindfulness and meditation to get them in the right mindset to learn.

5. Let them learn

Give your student the space they need to work in the virtual classrooms and learn from their teachers. Check in and make sure your presence isn’t distracting. Allow them to self-direct and only intervene when you are asked for help. Then, after virtual school, ask them about what they learned that day to help reinforce their lessons.

YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative are made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.