3 Things You Can Try If Your Kids are Experiencing Learning Challenges

Submitted by: Laura Pearson of Edutude

Distance learning can be essential for keeping children and communities safe right now. Even so, it can be difficult for your little ones to stay focused and interested in school when they are learning via screens. That lack of engagement can lead to frustration for them and for you, but there are a few tricks you can use to get your kids back on track in the classroom. In fact, here are a few things you can try to help your little one overcome many learning obstacles.

Try a Different Teaching Style

If your child is having a hard time keeping up in the classroom, it may have more to do with the approach to teaching rather than the actual lessons. That’s because everyone has their own unique learning style. While teachers try to accommodate different learning styles into their lessons, it can be impossible to include each and every one. Fortunately, there are endless ways for parents to help knowledge from the classroom sink in for their children.

For example, if science seems to be challenging your child, you could plan some engaging backyard science experiments to help those lessons make more sense. These activities allow children to explore science with all of their senses, and your kids will be so busy having fun crafting their own volcanoes, gardens, and exploding baggies (no fireworks involved, by the way) that they won’t even realize they’re learning!

Another trick you can try is to get your kid learning through everyday activities. Wondering which activities to try? Well, you can start in your kitchen! In addition to being an essential life skill, your kids should learn cooking, while baking can also give kids a chance to apply classroom concepts like reading and math to a real-world scenario. Plus, you can whip up some tasty treats together.

Try Making a Game of Learning

So maybe your child is doing okay in science but needs some help with problem-solving and communication. If so, letting them play more video games could lead to more confidence and better performance in the classroom. Now, this may come as a surprise but studies have shown that children who play video games also develop their abilities to solve problems and communicate more effectively.

Not to mention that there are plenty of educational video games out there that focus on specific school subjects. If you have a younger child who is just beginning to learn the ABCs, for instance, there are plenty of apps and games available for tablets and smartphones to help. 

Before you begin downloading these beneficial and educational games, you will want to make sure your home WiFi connection can handle all of the extra use. This is particularly important if your child is learning via gamified educational tools like Virtual Reality (VR). Otherwise, you and your kids could end up frustrated by interruptions while working, learning, and playing. If you need to switch providers to help avoid disruptions, look for a service with ultra-fast speeds that can easily handle multiple devices at once.

Try Boosting Their Self-Confidence

Struggles with learning can take a toll on your child’s self-esteem, which can lead to even more issues in the classroom. So in addition to planning out fun and educational activities to boost your child’s learning abilities, also find ways to boost self-esteem.  Allowing your child to get creative with materials around the house can be a simple way to do so.

It can also be helpful to include more inclusive titles on your child’s reading list. Books that celebrate different skin colors, appearances, beliefs, and experiences can be so empowering for growing minds, while also providing a serious confidence boost.

Learning online can be safe and effective but it can also be a bit tedious, especially for younger children. If you have a child or multiple children who are learning from home right now, try supplementing classroom lessons with games, activities, and real-world fun. Doing so can help them stay focused and successful in school.